BTL Staff Report
HOWELL –
It's rare that video from a school board meeting becomes a viral hit but that is just what happened to a video of Graham Taylor, 14, who delivered a passionate defense of a teacher suspended for kicking a student out of his class for anti-gay comments.
Last month Howell High School was participating in Spirit Day, which was designed to draw attention to gay bullying. Teacher Jay McDowell asked a student to remove her confederate flag belt buckle. Another student objected to that request, saying the belt buckle was no different than students wearing purple to mark Spirit Day.
After that student made "inappropriate and offensive statements regarding gay students," according to the teachers union, McDowell kicked him and another student out of class.
McDowell was suspended for one day without pay. The teachers union stated that McDowell was just following school rules that allow teachers to ask students to remove "inappropriate" or distracting clothing.
Taylor, who lives in Ann Arbor and does not go to the school, said he applauds any teacher who defends gays. And he ought to know – Taylor attempted suicide when he was just nine years old after being bullied at school.
Here's the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC5veY34sIY&feature=player_embedded#!
