Will Phillips, 10-Year-Old, Won't Pledge Allegiance To A Country That Discriminates Against Gays (VIDEO)

UPDATE: Will Phillips appeared on CNN Monday morning with his father, Jay, to discuss his refusal to say the pledge of allegiance.

"I've grown up with a lot of people and I'm good friends with a lot of people who are gay and I think they should have the rights all people should, and I'm not going to swear that they do," the ten-year-old Phillips said.

Jay Phillips, asked if his son was prepared for the media attention, said his son saw it as an opportunity to raise awareness. "He felt that just because he's ten years old doesn't mean he doesn't have opinions, doesn't mean he doesn't have rights, and doesn't mean he can't make a difference."

Watch:

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Via Queerty comes a story from the Arkansas Times about Will Phillips, an elementary school student who refuses to say the pledge of allegiance in school because of discrimination against gay people:

"I've always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer," Will said. "I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all."

After asking his parents whether it was against the law not to stand for the pledge, Will decided to do something. On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, he remained sitting down. The class had a substitute teacher that week, a retired educator from the district, who knew Will's mother and grandmother. Though the substitute tried to make him stand up, he respectfully refused. He did it again the next day, and the next day.

A columnist for the Arkansas News has stood up for Phillips against his angry substitute teacher. Predictably, fellow students have taunted the kid and called him a "gaywad," but he says he doesn't see his quiet act of protest ending any time soon.

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Comments

[frankystein12]

Instead of mocking Will Phillips for standing up to social injustice and unequal civil rights, the ones who mocked him should be mocked instead for pledging to a screwed country blindly.

[Tony Whitson]

Wouldn't you just LOVE to see a televised debate between Will Phillips and former Miss California Carrie Prejean?

[JMaximo]

Religion is the pretext for every infringement of human freedom: it is the argument of tyrants; it is the origin for injustice, bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation. When I do good, I feel good. When I do something bad, I feel bad. That's my religion. What does being an American mean? It means to enjoy liberty and justice (the essence of freedom). Will Phillips said “I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all” and refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance. For that he was called a gaywad. Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose injustice even if it means not pledging alliance to their own government, for as long as that government refuses to recognize the rights of its citizens. Remember, it is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph.

[whoknew42]

I am totally loving what you just said

DITTO!

[WaitingForLefty]

Will Phillips: From the mouths of babes. You've made my heart swell to a Grinch-ian degree. I'm a 52-year old gay man who buried his Mom today. You inspire me unendingly. Your words of compassion and reason and defiance of absurd negative judgments simply stupefied me. Please never stop being a defender of the oppressed. My boyfriend (god forbid I should say husband) of 33 years and I truly thank you.

[secrethitmen]

Thank you, Will. You're a good guy. (Also, your shirt is awesome.)

[microwave68]

hey im all for it , after all why should a country deny somebody who is mentally ill the right to marry ?

[DirtyMoon]

I can see you're tr0lling and you hate gays. Get a life, dude.

[Arrech]

WHAT A BRIGHT KID.

MAY GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS PARENTS.

AND FOR THE BIGOTS: PSALM 109:8

[microwave68]

wonder when hes gonna come out of the closet ?

[DirtyMoon]

excuse me? Just because someone supports gay rights, it doesn't mean they're gay.

[knugget]

While Will is certainly very articulate and even eloquent, I do believe he was, if not coached, at least semi-indoctrinated by his parents, esp his mother.

I would believe this was a more authentic act if it was coming from the son of a conservative, or if his parents weren't so vocal in all media instead of just letting Will speak. Both his mother and father have been overly vocal in the radio, tv, and print interviews. They are gay rights activists and Will has been influenced by that. When the parents search out and comment on blogs, start a facebook page for 'the cause', and bask in the limelight it's fishy. Let your son TRULY think and speak for himself Laura.

We have seen this kind of thing time and time again, with Marla Olmstead, Balloon Boy, Gosselins, The 6yr old chef, 10yr old Tavi fashion 'prodigy', etc. All these kids had overbearing parents who, while well meaning, had their own agendas they knowingly or unknowingly superimposed on their children. They also encouraged their kids in stunts that they knew would gain media attention. It's unethical.

Know that kids want earnestly to please their parents above all, even the really smart kids. There is a fine line between educating them and influencing them too much with your own agenda. Their innocence should never be made media fodder for a political agenda, until they reach the age of consent. It's exploitation, whether the child agrees to it or not.

[AMuseMeant4U]

Wow! That's a riot! Sorry, but it is my job as a parent to teach my kids right from wrong according to my ethics, morals, beliefs, etc.... If that's what you call "indoctrination", then I guess every parent is guilty. I guess religious leaders, doctors, lawmakers, and the press are all indoctrinators as well? (Actually, in my book they are, but that's another story for another day.)

I also don't understand the logic behind it being o.k. with you as long as his parents were conservative. Not to mention the fact that you seem to be missing the point all together. It doesn't matter if you are liberal, conservative, young, old, indoctrinated, brain-washed or an unaffected, independent, intelligent thinker. Pledging allegience to a flag/country that does not uphold the very allegiance it is asking you to pledge is ridiculous, spineless, unethical and downright stupid to say the least.

Will Phillips is my new hero. I am making it a point to share this story with my children, friends and family as an example of what is right in this country. I guess that makes me an overbearing indoctrinator in need of attention in your book? I only wish every American had the balls this kid has and if it was his parent's doing, then I wish every parent had the brains to remind their kids that it is our duty as Americans to hold our government accountable.

[knugget]

I didn't say it would be ok if his parents are conservatives. I said it would have been more authentic. Because it would mean it was truly the impulse of the child without the possibility that part of his motivation is parental approval. I am a liberal. I also believe in gay rights. However, I do believe this MEDIA SOLICITATION was if not cooked up by Will's parents, sanctioned by them, and it's simply exploitation.

It's one thing to teach your children right from wrong and to encourage debate and activism as a way of self expression. It's another thing entirely to solicit the media and make your minor child the media poster boy for a cause. I see the parents trying to make a mass movement out of this with their son as the mascot.

Furthermore, I saw the speech Will purportedly wrote and delivered and I believe his mother is really the one who wrote it or contributed. The viewing audience is intelligent and can see through such subterfuge. Putting a child out there to express adult's ideas because it's 'precocious' and more people will pay attention is Machiavellian, not ethical.

This isn't about pledging or not pledging. It's about parents who are creating a media circus after the story, and allowing their underage son to act out their values, instead of protecting him as a private citizen child. They are putting him out for mass consumption , and with the media nowadays, the worm always turns.

[Hephaestion]

Knugget, his parents most certainly are not "activists." They are regular folks with gay friends. They live in a small town in Arkansas, where you can easily be killed for being gay and out, and they had the courage to support their gay friends there. You should be ashamed for attacking these good and courageous people who embody the best of the American spirit.

[knugget]

From what I have seen and read about his parents, especially his mother, they have strong political beliefs they espouse. That's great. Nothing wrong with that. Supporting your gay friends is wonderful. I would never attack them for that. They are also doing a great thing by exposing their kids to gay people and all kinds of people. But what I'm critical about is that they don't seem to understand responsible and ethical parenting. Child's rights if you will.

Courting national attention and allowing your child to be the mascot for this intense and divisive issue is irresponsible. He is too young to vote. If he feels called to activism, his parents should support him. But not like this. He is too young to be put out there like this. The media hungrily goes from one story to the next. The positive story can change into a negative one at the drop of a hat. The glare of the spotlight is harsh for adults, let alone kids. His parents should lobby, protest all they can for what they believe, but not by using their prepubescent child as a mouthpiece. Will WILL change and grow. He will go through interests and beliefs until he finds what fits. But national attention, once courted, can be unforgiving, permanent and limiting! You don't want him to question your decisions as parents later when he's a teen with a sense of betrayal.

[2pt]

This child gives my jaded sensibilities hope. Thanks, kiddo.

[AndrewJewell]

Where do you donate to this child’s college fund? Someone PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN, this little boy should go to Harvard ............. please someone set it up and email me with details .......... AndrewJewe­ll@GMail.c­om

[AMuseMeant4U]

I've never done anything like this before, but then again I've never been this moved or inspired. I'm sure there must be others who are on this, but I am building a web site at "willphill­ipsfund.or­g" and will do what I can to see to it that Will and every kids like him gets a college scholarship. If anyone wants to be notified when it's up and running or perhaps help, feel free to drop me a line at motherofan­other@gmai­l.com and I'll keep you posted.

[Mattjoe3]

The tendency of many here is to equate this refusal of the "pledge" to some form of Anti-Americanism or "loss of identity" when in fact it's just good old fashioned protest allowed him within his rights as an American, yet without encroaching on the rights of others. (And after all, allowing same sex marriage does not deprive anyone of anything or force you or I to do anything differently)

Now, I'm not a practicing Catholic, but grew up with a decorated tree in December. So for example, if the school that kid attends no longer puts up a Christmas.......ah, sorry, I mean a "Holiday Tree" for fear of offending minorities and special interest groups....­.......now you have a beef. (the tree, religiously symbolic or not, is as much a traditional fixture as it is a spiritual one, regardless of faith – now I AM deprived at the expense of another...am I not?)

The whole "needs of the few" thing, in the context of “identity” and mutual respect for your countrymen is something you can never get back, once it’s gone......just ask a tolerant, pissed off Canadian.

[benatmediacurves]

MediaCurves.com conducted a study among 328 viewers of a new clip discussing a student who refuses to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in support of gay marriage. The majority of viewers (66%) reported that the student should not be forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. While the majority of respondents supported the student after watching the video, prior to viewing the video, the majority of viewers (65%) indicated that students “should be” forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. More in depth results can be seen at:
http://www.mediacurves.com/Politics/J7639-PledgeofAllegiance/Index.cfm
Thanks,
Ben

[John Drake]

Will is not as smart as he thinks he is. It is NOT inherently "unjust" or a "denial of liberty" to legally disallow two people of the same sex to "marry" one another. It isn't legal for a person to marry a cow either (or his own brother, or sister, or father, or mother, or someone who is already married, etc.) -- but that doesn't make that "unjust". Just because people can't do any ridiculous thing they want doesn't mean they are being denied "liberty".
Refusing to allow people of the same sex to publically and legally “marry” one another is NOT “discrimination”. No one has ever had an inherent legal right to that kind of “union” before, based on nothing but personal sexual behavior (and biologically incongruous sexual behavior at that). Thus denying it legally does NOT qualify as “discrimination”, any more than denying people the “right” to steal, beat somebody up, or destroy property does.
For this reason, Will Phillips’s refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance is totally disingenuous, and his school should be rejecting his refusal on that basis. This is more about Will choosing to disrespect his elders and teachers and publicly defy legitimate authority than it is about “justice” or “liberty”. If his teachers do not deal with his insubordination, they will soon have other students in their school system thinking that they can defy their teachers too for any ridiculous reason.

[Ed Gurowitz, Ph.D. - Huffpost Blogger]

This argument does not hold water on so many counts.

First of all, marriage is a civil contract. There is an enormous amount of case law to the effect that it is unconstitutional to deny equal access to civil contracts to everyone or to discriminate on any arbitrary basis such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. It is neither legal nor illegal for a person to marry a cow because that is a stupid interpretation of freedom. Animals, those who are underage, the mentally incompetent, are not competent to enter into contracts.

It is absolutely discrimination to refuse to allow any two competent adult (must I say "humans?") to enter into a cortract.

Your parenthetical allusion to "biologically inconruous sexual behavior) betrays both your bias and your ignorance. Same-sex behavior occurs in most if not all mammals, probably at about the same rate as among humans.

Either everyone has the right to marry or no one has.

Will is taking a principled stand against bigotry and respecting the principles on which this country is based.

[simkatu]

Your comments are wrong in many places. I will focus on one major point. Nobody at this childs school is required to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance. It was that way before, during, and after he refused to stand. The problem is that the substitute teacher wrongfully insisted that he do something that she wasn't allowed to force him into doing. The teacher should apologize for making a terrible mistake, and the child should get a free education at Harvard for standing up for his rights.

This whole recitation of the pledge reminds me of the indoctrination of children by other dictatorial countries. The addition of the words, "Under God", which were added in our lifetime make this ridiculous 'pledge' even more insidious. It was an intentional effort by Christians to force their invisible sky fairy into our classrooms and into our childrens mouths. This is not the place of gov't to tell my child to believe in any invisible sky fairies, let alone a particular Christian sky fairy.

[Gingersp]

Will's refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance is NOT insubordination. No one should be forced to say it. That smacks of Hitler.
For what it is worth, I don't personally have a problem with saying the Pledge. I have a problem with being told that I HAVE to say it. There is a BIG difference. NO ONE should be forced to say it and it doesn't make them "unpatriotic" if they don't. It's a bunch of words. Patriotism is from the heart and the mind. We have gotten ridiculous with our "symbols" of patriotism -- flags on clothing, jewelry, etc, and being told that if you don't do or wear the "right" thing, you don't love your country.
I say that young Will loves his country MORE than any of you who have the flag on everything that you own and criticize the rest of us if we don't.
Also, saying the Pledge has nothing to do with supporting or not supporting our troops.

[mickey733]

Your argument makes no sense... my favorite is

"Refusing to allow people of the same sex to publically and legally “marry” one another is NOT “discrimination”. No one has ever had an inherent legal right to that kind of “union” before, based on nothing but personal sexual behavior (and biologically incongruous sexual behavior at that)."Thus denying it legally does NOT qualify as “discrimination”, any more than denying people the “right” to steal, beat somebody up, or destroy property does."

at one point... "refusing to allow people of color to publicly and legally ride a bus, or pick your cotton ( oh yeah, my bad, you did legally enslave people...) is NOT "discrimination." No one has ever had an inherent legal right to that kind of action before, based on nothing but personal, skin color ( and biologically congruous skin color at that).... {until someone stood up and said something}...Thus denying it legally does NOT qualify as "discrimination," any more than denying people the "right" to compensation for labor, or using the same public restroom."

[tweck]

This is awesome! What a heroic kid! Keep standing your ground, Will - you are making a difference!

[Witchitalineman]

I would say he's a very smart young man. Congratulations to his family for raising such a nice young kid.