ACLU Defends Florida Teacher Who Posted Anti-Same Sex Marriage Facebook Comments; Joins Conservative Liberty Counsel

The American Civil Liberties Union has joined the ultra-conservative Liberty Counsel in backing a suspended Lake County teacher who made anti-gay comments on Facebook, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The ACLU released a statement to the Sentinel in defense of Jerry Buell, a Mount Dora High School teacher who wrote a Facebook post calling same-sex unions a “cesspool” that made him want to throw up. “The First Amendment protects his right to share his views – offensive or not,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, in a statement. “Even though we strongly disagree with his opinion, especially considering how hard the ACLU fought to win marriage equality in New York, Mr. Buell should not be subject to disciplinary action by his employer for expressing his views.” Simon said the group takes “note when a teacher makes anti-gay statements that create a hostile educational experience.” The group does not believe his comments would create a hostile environment, an ACLU spokesman said. The Liberty Counsel has been representing Buell since Monday to defend his freedom of speech. Thursday, the group is hosting the “Florida Awake” rally, at First Baptist Church of Leesburg where Buell will speak about the Facebook issue for about three minutes. The rally, scheduled from 7-9 pm, will also include an appearance from U.S. Rep. Daniel Weber. The church is located at 220 N. 13th St., Leesburg. More information can be found at www.lc.org. Support for Buell’s reinstatement continues to gather momentum. Monday, a crowd of supporters filled a school board meeting. “I don’t want somebody to come in and put duct tape on the mouth of a Christian man or woman or student just because they believe in the Bible,” Brooks Braswell, pastor of Umatilla First Baptist Church, said to the board. Although Buell’s posts did contain many references to Bible verses, he is being investigated as to whether he violated the district’s code of ethics. The code prohibits behaviour that is “unbecoming” or that “disrupts the orderly processes of the district.” Additionally, the state education code of ethics calls for educators to value the “worth and dignity of every person.” Many argue his comments could create an unwelcoming environment for gay students and do not want him reinstated.