Michigan High School Teacher Who Wore Purple Tee Shirt Showing Solidarity For LGBT Youth Reprimanded For Violating Free Speech Of Students Wanting To Wear Confederate Belt Buckles Because They Contend Both Are Expressions Of Free Speech

Howell Public Schools, in Michigan, is defending actions it took against Howell High School economics teacher Jay McDowell October 20th, reports the Livingston Daily, in a story that requires patience since there appears to arguments on all sides – the teacher, the district, the school, and the students. On October 20th, Mr. McDowell wore a purple tee shirt to class – Spirit Day; the day that allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth are encouraged to wear purple to show solidarity and support for those bullying and harassed. Allegedly, after students asked the teacher to explain the significance of the shirt, one student, 16 year old Daniel Glowacki, began to protest because McDowell has previously asked another student to remove a belt buckle depicting a Confederate flag. That student, a female, removed the buckle without protest. However, Glowacki did protest, and the argument between the two reached a breaking point as McDowell sent Glowacki out of the classroom. It remains unclear whether Glowacki stated at any time that he was as opposed to the wearing of the purple shirt as McDowell was to the donning of a Confederate flag, because, presumably the 16 year old objected to gays based upon a religious belief. Glowacki has repeatedly stated he is not against gays, and was arguing because he alleges he was attempting to argue that both the purple tee and the belt buckle were articulating a political statement. The school reprimanded McDowell – he received and served a one-day suspension without pay – because the school alleges “Your demonstration of intolerance stands in contradistinction of the anti-bullying message of the day,” according to a letter obtained by the paper. The letter continues “You disciplined them in anger under the guise of harassment and bullying because you opposed their religious belief and were offended by it. The students were causing no disruption to the educational process.” Mr. McDowell has released a statement arguing that the reprimand letter is a complete fabrication, and the Howell Education Association issued a statement supporting McDowell.