Mick Foley and Jon Stewart Tag-Team Anti-LGBT Harassment in Schools

You may have already heard about Will Phillips, the 10-year-old from Arkansas who refuses to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance because he feels LGBT people aren't treated equally in this country. Will has to be one of the most principled and courageous 10-year-olds I've ever seen (not to mention articulate! When I was his age, one of every five words that I spoke probably had something to do with Pokemon).

Unfortunately, his classmates have resorted to harassing Will for his conviction, calling him a "gaywad." Will argues that this is a "discriminatory term" against LGBT people. Bravo!

In support of Will and his actions, Jon Stewart brought professional wrestler Mick Foley on The Daily Show, "advising" students and faculty at Will's school not to pick on him for his defense of LGBT rights:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Gaywatch - Peter Vadala & William Phillips

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[Facebook folks, click here to watch]

Of course, we at GLSEN would never condone any actual violence against anybody, because we've seen how anti-LGBT violence affects the lives of LGBT people and non-LGBT people alike. Recognizing that this is nothing more than humor, however, we're glad to see such an unexpected alliance--grade-school students, satirical-but-still-exceptionally-accurate news anchors, and 250-pound professional wrestlers--speaking in favor of equality, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.