The Only Story About Mr. Buell’s Anti-Gay Teachings Just Disappeared From The Web

Just after we at Queerty said that Buell has a right to share his disgust about marriage equality during his private time on Facebook as long as it doesn’t affect his teaching duties, Queerty-reader Scott Rose sent along a link to an interview with one of Mr. Buell’s former students. The student gave his account of an in-class instance of Buell’s homophobia. But strangely, the post with the student’s story at AntiGayBigotryScaresMe.blogspot.com has suddenly disappeared.

At this point, we have reached out to the blogger behind AntiGayBigotryScaresMe.blogspot.com to determine why the blogmaster pulled the story. We will keep you posted. In the meanwhile, we offer the original account here:

The clearest and most specific example I can provide of Jerry Buell’s anti-gay remarks in the classroom happened my 11th grade year (2001-2002) during his American History course. Before explaining this occurrence, I would like to first comment on Mr. Buell’s classroom. Among several things hung around the room, Bible verses were spread across the walls, accented by a picture of Jesus Christ above the clock. While there may have been some additional quotes from other scholars and philosophers, the signs were predominantly Christian. And while, yes, Buell’s number one rule was/is Respect, I personally fail to find how those signs are equally respectful to other religions in a public school classroom or how his statement respects human life.

… a student provocatively asked Mr. Buell what he thoughts about gays in the military. I tensed, knowing full well the point of view to follow in Mr. Buell’s response.

I looked up when he said he supported gays in the military, stunned by the answer. He immediately followed that comment with the statement that we should then put them on the front lines, and pull back. Disgusted at the thought of violence and murder of humans being vocally supported, I shut my book and walked out of class, the only time I would ever do this during my educational career.

I returned at the closing bell to raise the issue with Mr. Buell. He noted my actions could be grounds for discipline, to which I countered by noting that his comments, if reported, would be the same. I also pointed out that the man in the picture hanging above the clock never advocated murdering another human being.

I didn’t report him then, and am sharing this story now to simply provide an example of Buell’s personal opinions infiltrating his classroom and teaching. His statements in recent media stories that he values students equally and loves his gay students I personally believe are inaccurate given my experiences as a student and alumni of his classrooms.

Whether the blogmaster responds or not, the remaining question is whether other students will come forward with their own stories about Buell’s alleged anti-gay animus. A big part of the case against Mr. Buell pretty much hinges on it.