
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A high school student has stood up to a school board in Michigan, defending a teacher who was suspended for a day without pay last month after ejecting two students from his class over antigay remarks and the wearing of a Confederate flag image.
Fourteen-year-old Graeme Taylor opened his speech last Monday by telling school board members that their town, Howell, Mich., is known for Ku Klux Klan activity -- something the board members deny. He made the case that the town will become known for being hateful as opposed to fostering dialogue and tolerance. Taylor, who lives in neighboring Ann Arbor, urged the school board to reverse the suspension of teacher Jay McDowell and grant him his pay.
According to the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, McDowell became involved in the controversy when explaining why he was wearing a purple shirt October 20 -- an act of solidarity with gay teens who had been bullied, sometimes to the point that they committed suicide -- and arguing with a student who was wearing a Confederate flag belt buckle. The exchange led to the ejection of two students.
"This teacher, whom I fully support, finally stood up and said something," Taylor said. "I've been in rooms -- in classrooms -- where children have said the worst things. The kinds of things that helped drive me to a suicide attempt at only 9 years old."
Watch his speech below. Monday night's school board meeting will be a forum on the disciplinary action against McDowell.
DON'T MISS THE OUT100 SPECIAL 3 DAY MARATHON STARTING NOVEMBER 24TH!
Journey through the year’s influential Out100 – the most iconic and long-standing celebration of LGBTQ+ icons and allies – in a 1-hour television special spotlighting the LGBTQ+ people shaping the world today.
WATCH & LIVESTREAM ON ADVOCATECHANNEL.COM
AND ON THE ADVOCATE CHANNEL APP
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lauren Boebert Caught Fondling Date’s Genitals During Family-Friendly Musical: Video
September 15 2023 11:20 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Prosecutors Say Nonbinary Mexican Magistrate Died in Horrific Murder-Suicide
November 25 2023 1:45 PM
Most Americans Don’t Want States Able to Ban Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Kids
November 24 2023 11:55 AM
Log Cabin Republicans President on Giving Antigay Mike Johnson 'The Benefit of the Doubt'
November 24 2023 8:53 AM
Stephen Miller's Legal Firm Sues Arizona School District Over Trans-Supportive Policies
November 23 2023 12:17 PM
Mike Johnson Says His High School Friends Would Have Claimed to Be Trans to Spy on Girls
November 22 2023 5:00 PM