Liberty Counsel represents teacher suspended for Facebook anti gay post (videos)
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On August 22, 2011, Liberty Counsel announced they will represent Florida teacher Jerry Buell in the ethics violation inquiry filed against him by the Lake County School Board. Buell was suspended from his position as a history teacher at Mount Dora High School after school personnel learned he made several anti gay posts on Facebook. Buell had been named “Teacher of the Year” in 2010 and has worked as a teacher in American History and Government for over 22 years. The comments that expressed his disgust for gay marriage and called it a sin were made from Buell’s home, off of school property and during his own personal time. Attorney Harry Mihet represents him.
The comments were posted following the announcement that New York had allowed same sex marriage. According to Click Orlando, Buell wrote in the post, that is no longer available online as his Facebook account has been removed, “I'm watching the news, eating dinner, when the story about New York okaying same sex unions came on and I almost threw up."
"If they want to call it a union, go ahead. But don't insult a man and woman's marriage by throwing it in the same cesspool as same-sex whatever! God will not be mocked. When did this sin become acceptable???”
Buell had approximately 700 friends on his Facebook page, it is unclear who complained about the post, but someone contacted the school board via email. According to Click Orlando, when some of Buell’s friends complained about the post, he responded, “If one doesn't like the most recently posted opinion, based on Biblical principles and God's law, then go ahead and un-friend me. I'll miss you like I miss my kidney stone from 1994."
The American Family Association (AFA) also released a statement on August 22, 2011 discussing the case and pointed out that though the school board states Buell violated their code ethics, the state of Florida does not recognize same sex marriage; therefore he was not only expressing freedom of speech, but speech that is in line with Florida’s constitution.
The AFA stated, “It's worth noting that Florida's constitution prohibits recognition of same-sex marriage, the exact view Mr. Buell supports. In essence, he is now being accused of hate speech for expressing a view enshrined in the state constitution.”
Additionally, the AFA asks those who are outraged about the actions of the Lake County School Board to send an email to the superintendent and school board here.
Check out the videos to the left for reports by My Fox Orlando.and the case against Jerry Buell.
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