Catholic Mother Sues Teacher for Kicking Anti-Gay Student Out of Classroom

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Dec 17, 2011 in U.S. | 46 comments

Jay McDowell and Graeme Taylor

A Catholic mother who just doesn’t get it is suing her son’s school district in some inane perversion of the old freedom of religion excuse. When her son Daniel Glowacki was asked to remove a confederate belt buckle in Mr. Johnson (Jay) McDowell’s classroom on Spirit Day, a day meant to acknowledge and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.

The Thomas More Law Center filed the suit Wednesday on behalf of Sandra Glowacki, a Catholic. It accuses the Howell Public School District and teacher Johnson (Jay) McDowell of violating her son’s constitutional rights.

The law center, which defends religious freedoms of Christians, said the district allowed Daniel Glowacki, 16, to be bullied for his religious beliefs on a day students and teachers were supporting the rights of gays and lesbians to be protected from bullying.

The suit says McDowell kicked Glowacki out of an economics class Oct. 20, 2010, while the district was observing anti-bullying day and Spirit Day — when the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation encouraged students nationwide to wear purple to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.

McDowell wore a purple T-shirt in support of a Rutgers University freshman who killed himself after a roommate streamed an Internet video of him kissing a male student, the suit says.

The suit says McDowell told a student to remove a Confederate flag belt buckle that he found offensive. That prompted Daniel Glowacki to ask McDowell why it was OK to display the rainbow flag, which represents gay pride.

You might remember hearing about 14-year-old Graeme Taylor coming to the teacher’s defense on Ellen.

Here’s the thing: Glowacki can practice his religion until the cows come home for all we care. His religion does not however give him the right to diminish or insult anyone else that his religion deigns to slight. All of this is largely irrelevant though in this case.

Glowacki was kicked out of class for wearing a hallmark of racism, bigotry, hate, and discrimination on a day encouraging young minds to stretch their minds a bit and consider tolerance and acceptance. Pardon my language here, but the kid was kicked out of class for acting like a little shit – not for exercising his religion.

(via Detroit Free Press)

http://twitter.com/kpringologist Kindra Pring

I have to ask – is this the first day he’s worn this or has he worn it before. If it’s the latter, then the teacher is in the wrong. If this was a problem, it should’ve been a problem a long time ago. Otherwise, it was probably done on purpose by the student to instigate something.

Also your language isn’t the problem. That you just called a teenager a little shit when you’ve never met him is. Teenagers can make stupid decisions. No one is surprised. I’m getting really tired of UB hearing a story once and deciding they suddenly know everything there is to know about that story.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1443795670 Joey Lopez

A) the kid was a little shit. B) lighten up

http://twitter.com/kpringologist Kindra Pring

Aren’t you the same guy freaking out about ‘The Cloud’? And you’re telling me to lighten up?
http://www.skillmega.com SJ Hosin

Unless you know all the facts about this story, you really can’t ask someone to lighten up when they are asking you to be respectful and set an example.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

So you’re saying there’s some way to wear a confederate flag and NOT be a little shit? lmao And then the fact that he comes from a family that is filing a lawsuit over this and claiming religious persecution. Pretty sure this little shit comes from even bigger shits.

http://twitter.com/kpringologist Kindra Pring

I don’t think it’s appropriate to insult children. Point out their mistakes, correct them, ensure they don’t repeat it and understand why it’s wrong, sure. But calling them a “little shit” is coming down to their level – if anything it reinforces it.

http://twitter.com/teknodave David A. Hildebrand

“The kid was kicked out of class for acting like a little shit – not for exercising his religion.”

Thank you! The confederate flag is not a religion. At least the last time I checked.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1443795670 Joey Lopez

exactly
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JY5PV3BYH6EGST5ZPNS6A7T6D4 Chip Council

No its treason!

meh2

i really enjoy reading these stories, but then i find out they’re not entirely reliable…ill never stop being a ub fan, but i wish they were a little more reliable..

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1443795670 Joey Lopez

like what? maybe posting a link with more info if anything was gotten wrong might help UB and the readers
http://twitter.com/DarklyDivine Serenity

Then perhaps you should start blaming the news paper/online articles they get the stories from. Just sayin’.

http://www.facebook.com/pmjenk Peter Jenkins

As a point of correction to the writer of this story. Wearing a confederate flag, while offensive to some is a protected form expression. The Tinker case is comparable. Many people were offended by the black arm bracelets worn by the students protesting the Vietnam war. They were kicked out then filed suit. They won in the Supreme Court because according to the court we have the right to freedom of speech and expression even if it is offensive. Clothing and accessories are covered under expression. Now I’m not standing up for the kid because if he went any further than what is said in this story then it is likely that he was violating school policy by harassing other students. However, I would also like to note that while I don’t support or agree with his comments about the rainbow flag, they are protected. If we start telling others that they can’t say these things then what will we one day lose the right to say?
http://www.facebook.com/Star.Moonshine26 Miranda Elizabeth Lee Kelly

Confederate flag does not mean bigotry and racism unless you make it mean that, a lot of people, myself included have a confederate flag as a reminder of what can happen when we fight amongst ourselves, its a part of history.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

yeah, just like the swastika doesn’t represent oppression and genocide. Oh, wait… That’s the funny thing about such well known symbols, you can try to warp the meaning as much as you want, the world will still perceive it as something despicable. The confederate flag represents racism just as much, if not more than, a swastika.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Adam-Neil-Wagner/1604721152 Adam Neil Wagner

Also, the cross was a long time symbol of torture and religious oppression. Eventually, the Christian faith took that imagery and converted it to a representation of salvation and faith while still holding on to it’s previous meanings of torture and oppression (j/k). Regardless of the original intentions, icons change meaning over time and use.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bob-Gilbert/100001680361014 Bob Gilbert

First, none of you are talking about the confederate flag. You’re talking about the battle flag. Second, the battle flag isn’t a symbol of anything, except an army that lost. Not a huge deal. Third, and most importantly, this boy didn’t say anything racist or homophobic, he didn’t *do* anything except wear a belt buckle. This shouldn’t be allowed.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

The confederate flag and the battle flag are the symbols of a nation that’s primary reason for existing was it thought it was acceptable to enslave other people and was fighting and dying to try to continue that practice. Yeah, not a huge deal at all. I don’t understand why people get so riled up about a little thing like slavery.

http://twitter.com/experience_zac Zac Sigler

The last time I checked, the Catholic church and the Confederate flag were pretty much mutually exclusive.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

They are. Kinda like Jews and the swastika

http://www.facebook.com/people/Gillianne-Rountree/100000210206782 Gillianne Rountree

This story reminded of a Robin William’s quote from his stand-up:

“The Confederate Flag is just a symbol of states rights… Yeah, and the Swastika is just a Tibetan good luck charm, c’mon now. ”
http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

The funny thing is that apparently this very ignorant Catholic family isn’t aware of what a lot of the south, and the KKK specifically, think of Catholics. The KKK puts catholics right up there with jews and other ethnic minorities.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Weiler/1054093136 Steve Weiler

Wah… If we want to be able to be gay without judgement from others, we shouldn’t judge why someone wears a confederate flag belt buckle. One of my best gay friends has confederate flag hats, patches on his riding vest, buckles, stickers on his helmet, bandanas, etc… he’s gay, he’s also a proud southern man. The gay community would be pissed if someone wearing a gay pride t-shirt or something was kicked out of class.. want to be accepted? Accept everyone else.

Kevin

The rainbow flag, much as I dislike it as a symbol of anything, is about acceptance and diversity. Confederate flags are not. If my child walked into a school wearing an upside down burning cross with a pentagram hovering over it, I bet he would be asked to remove it.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Doss-Andres/729901765 Amy Doss Andres

My problem here is that teachers EXPECT EVERYONE to ACCEPT EVERYONE and reality is that they don’t. And, that doesn’t make them stupid, ignorant, racist, etc… We are all different! If you don’t want to see a Confederate flag, don’t force someone to fly a Rainbow flag! You CAN’T FORCE people to do what YOU want them to. We all have different beliefs.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

Who is forcing anyone to wear or fly a rainbow flag?
Yes, not accepting people because of their skin color isn’t racist at all… It’s comments like that that make people think others are stupid, ignorant, racist, etc…
It truly amazes me that you think you are some accepting, open-minded person. You are a racist and a homophobe who looks down on anyone not like you and you think that’s ok because hey, everyone has different beliefs and beliefs can’t be dead wrong, right? Excluding other people because they were born into a particular group is normal, right?

http://www.facebook.com/hutchensriley Riley Hutchens

I agree with the mother. It is unconstitutional for a school to force a student to remove an expressitory object that does not promote violence. Tinker v. Des Moines protects him because he does have a right to display the belt buckle. It’s his consitutional right guys. Where would we be if were were denied free speech?

Kit Warner

I don’t know if it’s the case with this school, but many schools (in my area, at least) prohibit any flag other than the american flag to be worn. It could be as simple as he was asked to remove it because it was against the rules. Either way, teachers are allowed to have rules and enforce them. If somebody won’t stop talking, the teacher’s going to ask them to stop. Sure, the constitution says freedom of speech and they can talk all they want, but in order for a classroom to work and peace to be kept, the kid’s gonna need to shut up.
Kevin

So would wearing swastika to school be okay?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Adam-Neil-Wagner/1604721152 Adam Neil Wagner

Those of you who wish to bring up Tinker and unconstitutionality have obviously never gone to high school.

Try to wear a shirt with images of booze, weed, promotions of gang related activity, pix of people in various states of undress, or one with foul language, or anything that promotes hate or violence and you’ll be sent home to change. Dress code.

Try to give a speech using curse words or in the classroom at all and you’ll receive disciplinary action. Keep it up and you’ll be removed from school all together.

Bring a gun to school to defend against bullies. See how that works.

Students don’t have standard civil liberties and rights that adults get. One of my social studies teachers back in the day loved to say that we had no rights at school and it’s true. This kid was in the wrong. Spirit day or not, I bet if there were some African American students in the classroom they were probably more uncomfortable than the gay kids.
http://www.facebook.com/mpf.gielczyk Michael Paul Francis Gielczyk

Anyone who says the Confederate Battle Flag isn’t a symbol of racism and hate is a moron or a liar–probably both.

That said, as much as it hurts, people have a right to be racist, hateful, bigoted, chicken-shit little bastard, and to let people know that they are :/
Kit Warner

I’d like to point out that the following, unless I am misunderstanding it, is not a complete sentence.
“When her son Daniel Glowacki was asked to remove a confederate belt buckle in Mr. Johnson (Jay) McDowell’s classroom on Spirit Day, a day meant to acknowledge and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.”
http://twitter.com/hj_baltimore Hope Jean

As much as I hate to admit it, they might have a case here (depending on the judge, that is)…
http://www.facebook.com/Spookaboo Monty Valentine

Really? He found the Confederate Flag so offensive? I’m a gay transman and I
have the Confederate Flag on a handful of things because I’m happily
Southern. I’m okay with this. It’s not a prejudice sign of war anymore. Not to be a
jerk, but I can see why this kid would lash back asking why the other
flag is allowed and not his own.

haha and everyone wants to go to Nazi Germany when you stand up for
this? Hilarious! Let’s all grow up and get over the past wars rather
than dwell like a bunch of elderly people. I have a collection of WWII
books and War Memorabilia NOT because I hate ANYONE for petty reasons, it’s for the
fascination with history and to admit, war fashion. You can own things that seem negative for positive reasons, everyone. Surprise! I guess that makes
you a bad person by default for owning a man-made symbol for any reason. How sad.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

Somehow it doesn’t surprise me one bit that you collect Nazi paraphernalia.
And yes, all you black people out there, please stop dwelling on the enslavement of your ancestors. Get over it already! Grow up!
Racism is so ingrained in the south, it’s not surprising you don’t recognize it.

http://www.facebook.com/carl.struble Carl Struble

I think the Confederate flag is part of U.S. history, like it or not. I have gay friends in the south that display them with pride as part of our history. So when I see a Confederate flag, it reminds me of the path our nation has went down, to get where we are today. And I for one, am very proud of what our nation has become, and I think the best is yet to come. I have no problem with the Confederate flag, it’s our history, plain and simple. Had I been the teacher, that would’ve been part of the days lesson on diversity, history, culture, and understanding one another. Times have changed, but history can not be changed. Thats my view from Michigan.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

Yes, and the Neo-Nazis running around in this country wearing swastikas are just celebrating their German heritage…
Glad you aren’t a teacher. “Yes, children, glorifying a culture that was willing to defend slavery with their lives is important. It’s our history.”

Anonymous

Children are resources and resources don’t have rights.
Morgan Green

I understand that some southern people have different ideas about what the confederate flag means is the modern age but I have a hard time with the “freedom of religion” argument. The confederacy is not a religion. I think the proper argument would be freedom of expression.
Sara Boom

The student was probably kicked out of class for talking back to the teacher, believe it or not, that’s allowed. We can’t know the whole story and therefore should not be assuming things about why he was or was not kicked out of class. If a student gets mouthy with a teacher, the teacher doesn’t have to put up with it and can kick them out. Especially if it’s being a disruption to the class. It also depends on the school’s policy about inappropriate attire. If the teacher felt the belt buckle was inappropriate, he had a right to say so and make the student take it off. If the student had a problem with it, the next step is to go to the administration, not talk back to the teacher and insult others in the process (whether or not it was purposeful.)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1825934142 Thomas Stepien

Long live the Confederasawww!!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001823585233 Selena Salo

He has the right to wear the flag if the teacher just kicked him out for wearing the flag then that’s wrong but somehow I think there’s more to this. The kid probably made a big fuss about it and the teacher got upset. But just remember if we dont’ let them wear the bigot symbols its taking away their rights (However stupidly they might exercise them) just like they have done to us.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000046153886 Matt Williams

This story is NOT reported correctly here.
Glowacki was NOT the one wearing the flag. Another student was. The student wearing the flag was asked to remove it and she did so without complaint. After learning of the meaning of the purple shirts, Glowacki asked why it was okay to wear the purple shirts and not the belt buckle. The teacher explained that one was viewed by most people as an expression of racism, hatred, and violence whereas the other is meant to be a sign of acceptance and tolerance. Things got heated, the student talked back and was disrespectful. During this exchange Glowacki said that he did not accept gays because of religious reasons. After the disrespect and back-talking, the teacher excused Glowacki from class with a referral to the principal. Do some research!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1263660484 Howie Jordan

As a Southerner (who owns absolutely no Confederate flag adorned merchandise) I’d like to say that most people in the South (including many black people) consider it simply a symbol of the region. I don’t know how many view it as a regional symbol as opposed to how many view it as a racist symbol, but I would just like to point out that I have yet to personally meet a black man or woman who opposed the Confederate flag and have known very many to wear things like Confederate flag belt buckles. If I’m not mistaken, there was a black student in a Southern university recently who sued because he was forced to take the Confederate flag down from his dorm.
I suppose it really comes down to numbers: how many people view it as offensive versus how many don’t. But from what I’ve seen, white Northerners tend to make a bigger fuss over the Confederate flag than any Southerners, black or white.
(Or as we call you people down here, “damned yanks.”

All in all, I’m assuming the kid did something other than simply get angry over a belt buckle. And probably did, in the end, deserve being removed from the classroom.
Anonymous

Wow, I grew up in the deep South, and I don’t remember the Church of First Confederate on any corner. Hmmmm……maybe I missed it?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Samantha-Lawrence/1542960106 Samantha Lawrence

I’m sorry, but I’m from the south and while I don’t understand why a bunch of guys like to put Confederate flags on their trucks and front porches, I know that to many people here in the south, it’s a symbol of southern pride. My girlfriend’s gay cousin has the Confederate flag plastered all over his things. As a lesbian, I do not think it is fair for homosexuals to be allowed to celebrate their pride and then turn around and reprimand a student for wearing a confederate flag, that probably to her and many other people, is also a symbol of pride. If gay students have the right to wear what they please and express their beliefs, then how is it right for us to not extend that treatment and freedom to those who do not agree with us?

In every report I have read on this issue, the student in question was not making a scene, and was simply asking why the girl couldn’t wear her belt buckle. It was the teacher who found it “offensive.” Of course it is unfair to allow rainbow flags and not confederate ones. Daniel Glowacki was not wrong to question that. I think this is very disappointing, because of all people, the LGBT community should know what it’s like to be treated differently because our love is found to be “offensive.” I do not think this teacher behaved correctly, I do think he was unfair to the students who were kicked out, and all his actions have done was ensure that the young man in question will have a vendetta against gays for life. Good job Mr. Johnson, you’re so tolerant.

If the gay community continues to kick out everyone who thinks we’re wrong or sinful or evil, we will never make peace, change hearts, or inspire change. Acceptance for the LGBT community will not come through protests, signs, or petitions – it will come through handshakes, friendships, and civil discourse. I hope that each and every one of you, when you meet someone who believes homosexuality is wrong, treats that person with respect, and try to befriend them. They can’t hate you once they know you as a person. We each have a unique opportunity in our everyday interactions and relationships to teach our fellow citizens that we are human beings just as deserving of respect and equality as they are. We will never get this message across if we’re forever pushing away those who disagree with us.

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Catholic Mother Sues Teacher for Kicking Anti-Gay Student Out of Classroom

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