Missouri instructor gives up after grievances concerning gay pride flag
NEOSHO, Mo. (AP)-- An educator said he surrendered from a Missouri junior high school after he was told to get rid of a gay pride flag from his classroom as well as to sign a letter saying he would certainly not go over human sexuality or gender with his pupils.
John Wallis, 22, claimed he hung the flag and also an indicator that stated \"In This Classroom, EVERYONE Rates\" so his pupils at Neosho Middle school in southwest Missouri would recognize they might come to him for assistance, The Kansas City Celebrity reported.
Superintendent Jim Cummins stated in a statement that he might not review personnel issues. He said Wallis, a cinema, world folklore and speech as well as dispute instructor, was worked with Aug. 13 as well as surrendered Sept. 1.
Wallis said the institution principal as well as aide major initially recommended him against displaying the items but did not restrict it. However he took the flag as well as sign down after he was informed a moms and dad whined.
When pupils asked why the flag and indicator were removed, he informed them he was asked to take them down which the flag did not represent what he would instruct in his classes.
\" But I followed it up by stating, 'If you have a problem with the flag representing me, or students who determine as LGBTQ, then you can most likely discover a different class,'\" stated Wallis. He said that prompted even more issues from moms and dads.
He was then asked to sign a letter claiming he would certainly be discharged if he can not teach his educational program without keeping his \"personal schedule on sexuality\" out of the classroom. The letter likewise banned Wallis from showing any type of recommendations to sexuality or gender in his class.
Wallis claimed he's submitted a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Workplace of Civil liberty.
\" The issue I have with it, obviously, is that it's specific to me, and as an openly gay man that seems a bit biased since if you're a straight educator, you can talk about your partner, your kids, you can have a picture of your family members in the class, but I have a flag and then suddenly there's a problem. You understand, it didn't make any type of feeling,\" Wallis said.
