Gay Teacher Speaks Out After Getting Fired For Handing out Pride Bracelets

 

 

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WSYX) —

 A gay teacher in Ohio is speaking out after he was fired for handing out Pride bracelets to his students. 

A gay teacher speaks out after being fired for handing out Pride bracelets to students (WSYX)

Jay Bowman has been a teacher for 30 years and was most recently substituting in a Huntington classroom. Bowman said several girls asked him about a rainbow-colored First Capital PRIDE bracelet he was wearing.

“If a kid has questions, if a kid wants honesty, I don’t think I should be forbidden from providing that,” Bowman said in an interview Monday.

School Superintendent Peter Ruby would not answer WSYX's questions on camera, but the district sent a statement saying Bowman violated school policy that said, in part:

"To our Huntington Local Schools students, staff and families, Huntington Local Schools is committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive community for our students, teachers and staff. Those values guide us, and our district does not discriminate in our hiring practices. It is important for you to know that our Board policies restrict staff from discussing with students certain subjects, including political, religious and personal beliefs. This past week, we received reports with specific concerns about possible violations of those policies by a substitute teacher in the district. After a brief investigation, we confirmed, by the substitute’s own admissions, that he violated board policies by speaking to students about political and religious topics, as well as distributing bracelets. As a result of his violation of board policies, the district decided his services as a substitute would no longer be utilized. While we recognize there are diverse points of view on this matter, this policy exists for the purpose of ensuring all students feel comfortable in the classroom."

“I don’t try to recruit anyone,” Bowman said. “The parents are responsible for the kids. The parents are the ones who need to teach their kids right and wrong. I think the reaction to my violation, when compared to other instances in the school where certain things are tolerated, was unfair. Huntington Township is, by and large, a conservative area, and human rights are not a foreign entity at all but it is outside the comfort level of a lot of people.”

A gay teacher speaks out after being fired for handing out Pride bracelets to students (WSYX)

“We are saying that it is not okay to be out. It’s not okay to be gay or queer or LGBTQ, or if you are out, there will be consequences,” Daniel Matthews with First Capital PRIDE said.

Bowman said in his teaching career, he has had nearly 40 former students and athletes come out.

 “Huntington is my home," Bowman said. "It is where I got my first teaching job. It is everything to me. It just is. I love this community. I love this school. I was taught that God doesn’t make junk. I am not junk, I am Jay.

A demonstration Monday at the school stirred up controversy on both sides. Bowman said it shows he is not alone and neither are LGBTQ students: “Everybody’s voice should be heard. My catchphrase has become 'There is room at the table for everyone,' and there is."

Some community members said they want the school board to reconsider its policies. They plan to bring it up at an April 11 board meeting.