Jerry Buell, Florida High School Teacher, Suspended For Anti-Gay Facebook Posts

A Florida high school's "Teacher of the Year" has been suspended for an anti-gay post he wrote on his Facebook page last month.

Jerry Buell, a history teacher at Mount Dora High School in Mount Dora, Fla. wrote on his Facebook page that he "almost threw up" when he was having dinner and news came on of New York's decision to allow same-sex marriage showed up July 25.

"If they want to call it a union, go ahead," Buell wrote, according to ClickOrlando.com. "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???"

When his Facebook friends retaliated against his comments, Buell published a second post: "If one doesn't like the most recently posted opinion, based on Biblical principals and God's law, then go ahead and un-friend me. I'll miss you like I miss my kidney stone from 1994."

The page has since been removed and Buell was initially reassigned before the suspension for violation of the school's social media policy. Buell's page on the Mount Dora school website is also now blank.

"Social media is a minefield," Chris Patton, communications officer for Lake County schools, who helped develop the guidelines told the Orlando Sentinel. "People think they're free to say what they want to, but in some aspects it can come back to haunt you."

From the Sentinel:

The guidelines warn teachers if they "feel angry or passionate about a subject, it may not be the time to share your thoughts in a post" and to "delay posting until you are calm and clearheaded."

While school officials say they are investigating the issue on the basis of an ethics code violation, Buell says everything was done on a personal basis: on his own time and personal computer at home.

"[I was] exercising what I believed as a social studies teacher to be my First Amendment rights," Buell told Fox News Radio.

Officials say Buell had over 700 Facebook friends, therefore rendering his comments public.

Meanwhile, there's a likelihood that Buell won't be able to teach when the school year starts Monday. And though Buell's Facebook friends initially lashed out at him for his comments, a new page has sprouted in support of his cause, largely advocating for separation of profession and personal beliefs.

"It wasn't out of hatred," Buell told the Sentinel of his post. "It was about the way I interpret things."

New York became the sixth state to adopt gay marriage when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law, which took effect July 24. The legalization of same-sex unions was considered a historic victory for the gay community.

Comments

[European1919]

08:33 AM on 10/17/2011

So in god's own country, christians are now being sacked for their beliefs. Interesting.

[patseeyore69]

04:24 PM on 10/17/2011

"Sacked" is that what YOU call it ?? No ** Christians aren't being "SACKED" for their beliefs - You can believe what you want in any religion... Just Remember - Do Not Judge other people - Yet you be JUDGED yourself :)

[European1919]

01:36 AM on 10/18/2011

So uttering your belief is being judgemental?

[Michael Clemmer]

11:10 PM on 10/13/2011

Hey, to ALL Gays and ANTI Gays, Its HIS RIGHT to say as he wants, Facebook is NOT a part of the school curriculum, nor is it affiliated with the schools employment. Why is it that when GAYS have something to say its "freedom of speech" but when someone OPPOSES it "its a hate Crime"... its just like a TV set, if you don't like what he said, don't go to his Facebook page, PERIOD, you can handle that, correct? then just ignore the man. whats wrong with everyone being so so politically correct? its stupid this is even in the news at all, there is more important things out there.... GET OVER IT....

[Randyman5]

04:24 PM on 08/31/2011

Look, this man simply hates gays. [Proof is that he told a class that he believes gays should be allowed to serve in the military.... and that they should all be placed on the front line and all backup and support should be withdrawn --presumably so the enemy would immediately mow them all down and kill them.] When some of the students he is teaching are gay, he creates a hostile environment and he is destroying the mission to teach all kids in a positive environment. By rights, he should be fired. He has destroyed the mission of teaching.
[I can understand why, in the backwater that is central Florida, such a cretin could be named "Teacher of the Year" --probably for the very reason that he was teaching his version of Jesus to his students in the context of a social studies class]. Inbreeding.

[Randyman5]

04:08 PM on 08/31/2011

Look, this is in crackerland Florida. Talk about god?! How about god-forsaken. There is nothing intelligent or uplifting about these people. They are backwoods people so brain-washed and solipsistic as to be barely educable.

[Carmen Slade]

02:35 PM on 09/27/2011

He's been suspended, so I think your estimation of Floridians is cartoonish and inaccurate.

His suspension should tell you that school authorities are taking this seriously. Good for them. If they fire him, I'm sure there are plenty of weird little backwater Baptist joints willing to hire him on.

[DonnaS34512]

04:03 PM on 09/28/2011

"Weird little backwater Baptists"?! Why do you have to be such a bully?

[DonnaS34512]

04:01 PM on 09/28/2011

Randyman, you are a racist, a bigot and paint all people from one region with the same brush.

What you are saying is no different than saying "Look, this is ni**erland Compton."

I'll bet that you hypocritically throw words like "tolerance" and "acceptance" around too don't you?

[Asuigeneris1]

01:53 AM on 08/28/2011

Social Studies teacher friends students on his Facebook page.

...then leaves a bit of gay bashing vitriol on his page.

Then that is sent to the district and is investigated.

...several students confirm his bringing his anti-gay comments and ideas to the classroom.

As in stating that gays should be front line in the military, without any support.

He also likens himself to Jesus Christ and makes many religious references on not only the schools website, but also his syllabus.

...yet there are still people thinking this man is able to use the proper judgment required, to be an educator in this day and age. LOL

[GlennWatson]

10:10 AM on 08/28/2011

The first thing we heard about his was that he was teacher of the year. So that assumption was natural.

[Asuigeneris1]

07:04 PM on 08/28/2011

Was it, I never just assume or presume...if at all possible.

...I just go by what is presented and the award he received didn't erase his obvious disdain for gays.

You even fought against statements from his previous students, finding fault in them versus this man.

...you should be embarrassed, but you likely aren't. LOL

[DonnaS34512]

04:04 PM on 09/28/2011

I may not agree with him, but he has every right to dislike whomever he pleases. I've been the victim of gaybashing and I still won't deny any person their right to be anti-gay and hateful if they choose to do so on their own time. Word are word are words.

[Darrell Swanger]

03:15 PM on 10/17/2011

Finally! The most intelligent post I've read so far! Words may hurt you sometimes, but it's still "free speech". If speech is considered free, only when it doesn't hurt or offend somebody, then it is not free, it's censored. People should have the common sense needed to know when "not" to say certain things, but they still have the "freedom " to say them!

[liddlelady]

04:39 PM on 10/17/2011

Yep, you have anti-gay, anti-Christian, anti-Muslim, anti-democrat, anti-republican anti-race and just about whatever anyone doesn't like. Comedians have to walk on egg shells because people take it out of context. I don't agree with verbal bullying, I think it's awful but it's there and we have to learn to tolerate one another for whatever they believe.

[Asuigeneris1]

12:38 AM on 08/28/2011

He’s not completely out of the woods, though. Lake County Schools will continue investigating what they say are “church-state separation violations” in Buell’s curriculum.

Mihet said the school district questioned statements on Buell’s webpage and syllabus that expressed his belief in God.

On his school webpage, Buell wrote that he tries to “teach and lead my students as if Lake Co. Schools had hired Jesus Christ himself.”

His syllabus also offered this warning to students: “I teach God’s truth, I make very few compromises. If you believe you may have a problem with that, get your schedule changed, ’cause I ain’t changing!” On a separate document, he also said the classroom was his “mission field.”

Mihet said the webpage was since removed and Buell has been instructed to remove some parts of his syllabus.

[Asuigeneris1]

12:34 AM on 08/28/2011

A bigoted Social Studies teacher...that's almost irony. LOL : P

[fineasfrogfur]

01:38 PM on 08/27/2011

IF Mr. Buell was a professional who could separate his personal belief from the needs of his job, then I would support him. Sadly, he insists that HE is the sole arbiter of what will be taught.

Here’s a direct quote from Buell’s syllabus: “I am a man of God and I try to be like Jesus every day. I teach God’s truth, I make very few compromises. If you believe you may have a problem with that, get your schedule changed, ’cause I ain’t changing!”

This is the exact opposite of separating his personal beliefs from the job. He is being very clear that he will teach according to HIS beliefs, in HIS way and will answer to no one.

Perhaps teaching at a private religious school would suit him better.

[GlennWatson]

12:30 AM on 08/28/2011

I find it difficult to believe that is in his syllabus. But if it is that is inappropriate and wrong. Can you, will you, prove your accusation?

[Asuigeneris1]

01:32 AM on 08/28/2011

It is...and on his "school" webpage. ; P

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-08-24/features/os-jerry-buell-gay-facebook-end-20110824_1_anti-gay-comments-reinstates-social-studies

[GlennWatson]

10:08 AM on 08/28/2011

I see what you referred to. That is unprofessional.

[nmeemn]

03:29 PM on 08/28/2011

So now do you still think this is a "great teacher" cause he was made "Teacher of the Year?"

[GlennWatson]

09:10 AM on 08/27/2011

According to a recent HP article during the time MLK was speaking against the Vietnam War 70% of white people and 50% of black people disagreed with him. He spoke anyway.

Speech is a precious thing and I will not deny it even to those I disagree with. You should not either.

IMO, many liberals have really come of badly in this debate.

[Asuigeneris1]

01:34 AM on 08/28/2011

...but he wasn't a teacher, he was a preacher.

Preachers preach...teachers should teach.

Only preachers get the right to intermix the two.

[GlennWatson]

10:06 AM on 08/28/2011

No. All Americans have that right.

[Asuigeneris1]

01:14 AM on 08/27/2011

Insinuating that gays make marriage a "cesspool" is hateful language.

...stating that gays should be human shields on the front line with no support, is repugnant.

This man is a disgusting human being and shouldn't be teaching at all, in my opinion.

[GlennWatson]

07:05 PM on 08/28/2011

Its fine to fire him if he is doing his job poorly but not for commenting on a new law while off duty.

[Asuigeneris1]

07:40 PM on 08/28/2011

Wrong, his "off duty" comments...oozed into his work environment, and he wasn't fired.

...but he should be.

The full spectrum of this man's lack of common sense and judgment, makes him unfit to hold an educators position.

[Conuly]

05:59 PM on 09/24/2011

In principle I'd agree, even though his comments are despicable, but he muddied the water by adding his students as friends on Facebook. (And also, apparently, for including his distasteful little opinions in his lessons.)

Given that he's in a position of power over his students, it's inappropriate for him to post those things where they can see them.

[ReverendKen]

04:03 PM on 08/26/2011

In America we have both the right to free speech and the right to remain silent. People need to know when to use which right. This guy should have used his right to remain silent.

He might be a social studies teacher but I have a lesson about the right to free speech. Our rights to free speech simply mean that the government will not throw us in jail for speaking our mind.

If a person uses their right to free speech recklessly and is degrading and hateful there could well be consequences. We all have a status in life and as a teacher his status calls for a higher standard of behavior. This man is a teacher if he is not able to make his opinion known without using insults perhaps he needs to think of getting a new vocation.

A society entrusts the education of our children to teachers. Any person that accepts this charge must understand that they are required to give all students the same high quality education. Not just the students they like.

People, like Mr. Buell, that use these words cannot help but to discriminate against a student that they perceive to be homosexual.

The fact that his statements were on Facebook and he had his privacy settings on does not make this a private moment in his own home. He broadcast this to everyone that has access to his page. That is public speech. He is a teacher and should know better..

[myzelf]

04:10 PM on 08/26/2011

Teachers are not slaves without rights. They are just as free to express their beliefs and opinions in private as any other American. Hate speech is not illegal.

There is NO indication that he is not giving all of his students the same high-quality education. In fact, he was voted "Teacher of the Year". Expressing one's personal opinion doesn't discriminate against anyone.

A private page is not public speech. If someone recorded YOUR private conversation with friends and posted it on the internet for everyone to hear, would you call that "public speech"?

[ReverendKen]

07:02 PM on 08/26/2011

Everyone is allowed to express their beliefs. Every employer is allowed to decide that they do not approve of these beliefs and can terminate people for these beliefs if they might be detrimental to the business environment. In a classroom it is important to the welfare of all students to know that their teachers are fair and non-judgmental.

No, hate speech is not illegal and to the best of my knowledge no one is suggesting he should be arrested. I am not even suggesting that he be fired. There should be some sort of official reprimand and perhaps he should be removed from the classroom.

Yes there is an indication that he does not treat all of his students equally. I live just a few miles away from where this story is taking place. The radio station I listen to (WTKS 104.1 Orlando) talks about it all day long. The syllabus he uses for his class supports the fact that he does discriminate.

Anything and everything that people put on the internet is public speech. As a painter no one would care about what I have to say. As a business owner my customers do, so I am always careful of what I say around them. As an ordained minister with, my own church, you better believe what I say has consequences. I try to be very careful of what I say and how I say it.

[Asuigeneris1]

01:35 AM on 08/28/2011

You're just ranting, because you say you are a teacher...well I am a nurse, should I be ranting that I can't discuss my job with people?

[Andra Claudia Garcia]

02:27 PM on 08/26/2011

The facts are, he wrote something vile, online, for everyone to see. You can express yourself all you want, no one is saying you cannot. But in media law, once you hit post, you free yourself up for repercussions. As anyone is taught, freedom of speech is actually only supposed to be for journalists, not really for John doe walking down the street to say bigotted things. Free speech was meant to keep the power of government in line or show injustice. Especially, when it comes to teachers, mentors of our youth, they, out of everyone, are supposed to be unbiased. And, he did sign a social media code of conduct, he should have been old enough to realize the difference between right and wrong.

[myzelf]

03:10 PM on 08/26/2011

His Facebook page was NOT set for everyone to see. A friend copied it and made it public, not him.

Freedom of Speech is NOT just for journalists. If you learned that it is, please take another basic U.S. Government class. Are you confusing it with Freedom of the Press?

His comments did not violate the social media clause of his contract.

[Asuigeneris1]

01:36 AM on 08/28/2011

700 people is not private dude. LOL

[Asuigeneris1]

01:47 AM on 08/28/2011

He has 700 friggin friends...good odds that he would offend someone. LOL

[GlennWatson]

09:13 AM on 08/27/2011

"freedom of speech is actually only supposed to be for journalist­s, not really for John doe walking down the street to say bigotted things."

You are confusing freedom of speech with freedom of the press. Was Thomas Pain a member of the press? Was Thomas Jefferson?

[pklspy]

07:20 PM on 08/25/2011

The Lake County School Board decided Wednesday that Buell's post did not violate the board's code of conduct. Yeah!

http://tinyurl.com/3clyemq

I guess this forum will come to a screeching halt now that the school doesn't want to string him up. This is exactly what I wanted for Buell; just a little talking to and back to work. The end.

[CrazyThisIs]

02:39 AM on 08/27/2011

Oops, because they are looking at some other possible infractions surrounding comments Buell made on a school web page and a class syllabus. We'll get to hear those finding next week.

[GlennWatson]

09:14 AM on 08/27/2011

There is still the larger question of whether he did anything wrong and how far the government can go to silence dissent.

[lenapequaker]

05:59 PM on 08/25/2011

So let's see. A Florida veteran teacher, who was once teacher of the year, makes an off color remark that infuriated the overly sensitive gay community. He should be tarred and feathered and lose his job.

But the Florida gay porn guy, who is just a substitute teacher, should be held aloft as a victim of bigotry and a true champion of liberty.

Man, I feel like I 'almost want to throw up' !
Who are the bigots, now?

[Asuigeneris1]

08:07 PM on 08/28/2011

The porn guy was fine until it entered into his classroom environment, after that it was an issue...now he is out of luck.

...but he also didn't advocate kids entering the porn industry in class, or "teach and lead his students as if the school district had hired John Holmes himself". LOL

[supergranny]

07:58 AM on 08/25/2011

Girlfriends back in school, check out this picture....

http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/august/300314/Teacher-returns-to-classroom-after-antigay-marriage-Facebook-post?cid=rss

[CrazyThisIs]

02:40 AM on 08/27/2011

He looks fierce in that picture!

[Asuigeneris1]

01:43 AM on 08/28/2011

Wow...methinks he doth protest too much. >.<

Too funny.

...but he is "fabulous".