Teacher Fired for Giving LGBTQ Pride Bracelets to Students
according to the Scioto Valley Guardian. The bracelet featured the name 'First Capital Pride,' an LGBTQ advocacy group.Bowen then took off his bracelet and gave it to a student.
He explained to the students that First Capital Pride "offered support groups for teens who may be struggling, are suicidal, are ostracized, and need support."Bowman said, per the Scioto Valley Guardian, that the gesture violated school policy, according to a superintendent.In a statement to WSYX-TV, the school district said that Bowman "violated board policies by speaking to students about political and religious topics, as well as distributing bracelets.
As a result of his violation of board policies, the district decided his services as a substitute would no longer be utilized.
While we recognize there are diverse points of view on this matter, this policy exists for the purpose of ensuring all students feel comfortable in the classroom."Bowman told the news station that he was not trying "to recruit anyone," adding that if a student has questions, "I don't think I should be forbidden from providing [honesty].""I think the reaction to my violation when compared to other instances in the school where certain things are tolerated was unfair.
