Teacher Who Called Gay Marriages a Cesspool: “Do I Apologize? No”
By Lucas Grindley on Advocate.com
The Florida teacher who was suspended for making antigay comments on Facebook is refusing to apologize, citing his First Amendment rights.
Social studies teacher Jerry Buell had reacted to the enactment of marriage equality in New York by going to Facebook and saying the news left him having to “almost throw up” and that same-sex marriages are a “cesspool.”
“I’m exercising my rights, First Amendment rights, guaranteed in the Constitution, supported by the state of Florida — on Facebook,” Buell told WKMG Local 6. Buell points out that the comments were made during the summer while school wasn’t in session.
“Do I apologize? No,” said Buell.
He is still being paid by Mount Dora High School while on suspension and working in an administrative job. A decision by the school board on Buell’s future could come this week, a spokesman told WKMG.
Tags: Florida teacher antigay comments, Mount Dora High School teacher anti-gay comment, Social studies teacher Jerry Buell Facebook comments
