ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A Michigan high school freshman appeared on TV and made the media rounds in defense of a teacher promoting diversity and tolerance, school officials said.
Graeme Taylor, 14, a student at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, went on MSNBC Monday to speak out in favor of gay rights and tolerance and against bullying, the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday.
"It's really important that everyone thinks they can be their true self," said Taylor.
Other media, such as The Huffington Post and blogger Perez Hilton reported Taylor's articulate defense of the teacher, Jay McDowell, before the board of education of Howell Public Schools on Nov. 8, the Free Press said.
McDowell was suspended without pay for one day after he told a student to leave the classroom when the boy said it was against his religion to accept gays. That occurred after McDowell asked a girl wearing a belt buckle bearing a Confederate flag to remove her belt. Another student asked why the girl was required to remove her Confederate flag if gays could fly a rainbow flag.
"It's really up to the adults to create an atmosphere where everybody feels safe," said McDowell .
