In a Michigan
high school during an Anti-Bullying Spirit Day, which supports lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender, people from any discrimination. Johnson McDowell, a
teacher is being sued for asking two students from his economics classroom to
leave. First he asked a female student to remove her confederate flag belt,
because it was symbolizing lynchings. When a student, Daniel Glowacki gave his
opinion and asked why it was ok to hang a rainbow flag, but not a confederate;
the teacher pointed out that there is a difference between the flags. Glowacki
continued saying that his Catholic beliefs didn’t allow for homosexuality,
after McDowell asked him if he supported gay rights. McDowell then asked both
students to leave.
Glowacki’s mother, Sandra Glowacki has filed a lawsuit with Thomas More
law Center against the Howell Public School district. She believes her son’s
First Amendment rights were violated and his religious
view’s were not being taken into consideration. McDowell was suspended one day
without pay, but is continuing to teach at the school.
Although, McDowell has gained much support from parents, faculty, and
students for his actions, Superintendent Ron Wilson said, “The same thing
would have been done had the student been on the other side.” Wilson also
added, “As superintendent, it’s my responsibility to foster fair, respectful
treatment of all staff and students, and the teacher didn’t do that."
The lawsuit states
that McDowell went on a “public campaign” as well as attempt to make Glowacki
appear homophobic. All Howell Public schools must have an assembly with school
officials discussing bullying. Also during the assembly, it was allegedly said
“to support the claim that hate speech was masquerading as religious speech.”
At
Kinerk, Schmidt & Sethi we handle cases involving bullying and injury at
school. If you have such a claim call us so we can help.
