My friend was fired today. Because he is gay.

[Tree-Hugger]

Last edited Sat Dec 7, 2013, 03:41 PM - Edit history (1)

My friend is a professor at a Catholic preparatory school, of which he is also an alumnus. He has been with his partner for 12 years and, while they had a committment ceremony, they were never able to officially marry due to the fact it wasn't legal. Well, New Jersey finally made it legal. He just got his marriage license. Upon learning of this, the school fired him.

I am so mad for him. He is extremely well liked. He loved that school. He loved that school before I even went there. I attended grade school with him and he used to talk about the Prep school often and how he loved it and hoped to attend. He's a brilliant mind, his students loved him, and he had great pride in that school. It's so hurtful that he was good enough for him all these years until today, when the only thing that changed was that he is married to another man.

And it sucks because he can't do anything about it because it's a private, Catholic institution...right?

Edited to add: He lives in NJ and is getting married there, but he teaches in Pennsylvania. As far as I know, the laws in this state don't do much to protect LGBTQ folks and our Governor Gashole is in no rush to do anything positive.

Edited again to add link to a news article.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=9352314

[elleng]

1. Right, he can't do anything about it.

Very sorry to hear this. Possible the student/parent body would take up the issue with the school administration?

[Bradical79]

7. I dont know about that...

If they kept him on knowing he was gay for years then fired him only after getting legally married, that sounds like something a lawyer could make a discrimination case with.

[Tree-Hugger]

9. I wonder if they did

As far as I know, it's never been a secret. He's been there a long time. He was a student and then came back to teach. I've known he was gay since grade school.

[former9thward]

16. "Discrimination" is not against the law.

Only discrimination against legally protected classes. It is legal to fire someone for being gay in some states not in others. Where it is illegal there are sometimes exceptions. The OP needs to check with the state's employment agency or department of labor.

[dsc]

32. I think he would have to show that they kept other gays who didn't marry

and thus fired him for his marital status and not his gayness. But even then they could likely come back with that they became publicly gay by marrying and that is why they were fired and not for getting married per se.

[Tree-Hugger]

39. They knew he was gay

Fired because he made it legal.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=9352314

[Purrfessor]

55. Since PA does not recognize same sex marriages...

how could they legally use that excuse as the basis to fire him?

[Tree-Hugger]

59. Because they are a Catholic institution

And teachers have to fit into their morality clause. It's totally legal. Not right, but legal.

[DesertFlower]

51. i think you're right.

[Cleita]

2. Maybe he can do something about it. I think even Catholic schools are

subject to laws concerning some discriminations. He should consult a lawyer.

[Tree-Hugger]

10. I really hope he can nt

[xfundy]

3. A "predatory school?"

I would think that would be a seminary.

[Tree-Hugger]

6. Oh my!

That was a fun autocorrect!

But pretty damn close, huh?

[RainDog]

4. Sorry for your friend

One day these stories will be history, hopefully.

[Tree-Hugger]

11. I hope so, too

This happened in my state a few years ago. A priest, of the Old Apostolic Catholic Order (which allows gay priests and married priests) was fired from Chestnut Hill College when they learned he was gay.

One day they are considered a great teacher. The next, they get rid of him because of outdated and disgusting ideology.

[giftedgirl77]

5. That sucks & is probably the defense they will use.

Until congress passes legislation they will continue to be treated as second class citizens regardless of the constitution.

My mom & her partner are in a similar situation. They have been together for close to 15 years but work in the public school system in Florida. They won't even put the same address on their employment files anymore after an issue that occurred a few years ago. It's disgusting that in 2013 this is even a question of civil rights. Anyone with a 6th grade education should be able to grasp this. All the hate in this country makes me sad for my children.

[Tree-Hugger]

12. I'm sorry that your mom has to deal with this, too

I don't want my children to grow up with this. I am so grateful that I was raised in such an open-minded family. It hurts my heart that my gay friends are surrounded by such hate so often.

[giftedgirl77]

15. I know my son is 15 & you can see the type of person

he is shaping up to be & I love it. We should not be fighting these battles in this day & age, any of them. We're surrounded by cavemen.

[LittleBlue]

8. That sucks

Fuck the homophobic pricks. He deserves an employer who appreciates him rather than loathes him.

[Tree-Hugger]

13. Ditto nt

[Laelth]

14. Have him consult an attorney in his jurisdaiction.

That said, I am aware of no federal law that would be of recourse to him under the facts you presented. Perhaps there's a specific New Jersey statute, but I would not get my hopes up.



-Laelth

[Tree-Hugger]

18. He teaches in Pennsylvania

So, he would be at the mercy of Pennsylvania laws, correct? I'm not sure how that works. Our Governor is very much against LGBT rights.

[Laelth]

20. Defendant (school) determines personal jurisdiction, generally speaking.

So, yes, Pennsylvania law should apply, and he should consult a Pennsylvania attorney.

-Laelth

[Tree-Hugger]

21. I will be sure he does so. Thank you nt

[Tree-Hugger]

19. He teaches in PA

Our laws are crap.

[4 t 4]

22. He may be very sad now

but if he can find other employment ( very important part I know it is close to impossible to find a good solid paying appreciative gig be it clergy or a ditch digger) and a sense of belonging in his future, he will be much better off. He loved and devoted himself to them and this is the reaction from them ??? He's better off without them, he is too good for them... no??

[Tree-Hugger]

28. Most definitely

He is very talented and his students loved him. I am confident he will be able to find more accepting employment elsewhere.

[The Midway Rebel]

23. The teaching profession is the worst for discriminating against gays.

And they totally get by with it with support from the community and courts.

[Ms. Toad]

25. Not always -

I was out to all my fellow faculty members, and some students, in the public high school I taught at from 1978 -1989. And I am now at the university level, and was just on a panel for the class of another faculty member about second parent adoption (within a month of starting the job).

But it can be.

[Tree-Hugger]

30. I hope many more teachers

....can say the same in the very near future.

[Ms. Toad]

24. Being gay is not a protected class, in most states.

So - unless there are state guarantees, a non-discrimination policy, or a contract in place, an employer (private or not) can fire you for being gay, for having blue eyes, for being tall - in others words - for any reason other than a characteristics which are protected under federal law (race, gender, disability, and being over 40 - to name a few).

[Tree-Hugger]

42. Very true.

And quite disgusting.

[Sgent]

52. Religious schools

have even broader discretion.

Catholic schools routinely fire people for being pregnant out of wedlock -- which would be illegal for most non-religious businesses.

[Tree-Hugger]

60. Exactly

They can hire you for many things and claim it's because of their moral code.

[msanthrope]

26. Name and shame. Tell us what school this is. FYI...if they are in Philly, there

might be recourse.

[Tree-Hugger]

29. Bensalem

Holy Ghost Prep.

[msanthrope]

34. File a complaint with Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission....

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/file_a_complaint/18976


He should carefully read the types of discrimination that are covered. It is obvious to me although this is my opinion only and I do not offer this as a legal opinion that your friend might be illegally discriminated against on the basis of religion. I'd be interested to know the ethnicity and religion of his partner.

[Tree-Hugger]

40. I believe he is Italian

And Catholic. Both are Catholic. I will look into HRC.

They knew he was gay, but fired due to him getting married.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=9352314

[okaawhatever]

27. Sadly, your friend may have just taught the most important lesson his students will ever learn. By

being a great teacher and person, his firing will be both memorable and sad to his students. If it does not move them to action, it will at least serve as proof that legal protection for the LGBT community is necessary and appropriate. Hopefully it will make them aware of the problems that LGBT's face and minorities always face.
As to your friend, I am sorry this happened, but I do believe God can't put him in the right place until he's left the wrong place. He deserves better than what he's getting. It's not that your friend doesn't deserve to be teaching at the Catholic prep school, it's that they don't deserve him. I hope he finds that better place very soon.

[Tree-Hugger]

31. Thank you

Such kind words and insight. I will share this with him.

He posted his story to his private facebook page this evening and there were 100+ shares within two hours. It's good to see so many people who are willing to share his story and fight for a good cause.

[ladyVet]

33. Well, that sucks. Stupid bigot people. :(

On the bright side, he's now legally married to the person he loves!

And it wouldn't hurt to talk with a lawyer. Probably nothing to be done, but why not?

[Tree-Hugger]

43. Definitely won't hurt.

Thankfully, he got his story out to the local media.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=9352314

[BootinUp]

35. Not sure about the legal side of it

the other side is he may have liked (loved) many things about the place but...there sure is one thing to hate!

[99Forever]

36. Sorry to hear about this.

But it needs to be asked:

Why would anyone, gay, bisexual, asexual, or straight want to remain working at an institution that would do such a thing? Sue the crap out of them.

Religion IS bigotry.

[Tree-Hugger]

44. He really loved that place

He had a lot of pride in it and was passionate about the work. His students adore him and many have expressed great sadness over him being fired. I really hate that other LGBT students and staff at school have to see this. The school knew he was gay, he doesn't keep it secret, but fired him for going forth with a marriage.

[JNelson6563]

37. I was fired for being an atheist and a liberal.

Apparently a couple of the Rethug fundies I worked with found it too terrifying to be exposed to views other than their own. They cried to management (like minded with them) enough times and Voila! "Sorry but you're just not a fit here...". After a year. Plenty of praise for my actual work but....those scary views...to not believe in god!1! And it's not like I was hammering away on these topics a lot, just an off-hand remark here and there was all it took.

Yeah, I feel your friend's pain. I hope he soon finds a much better situation, as I was lucky enough to do, with more enlightened people! :hugs: Hugs and encouragement to him and all who are discriminated against like this!

Julie

[Tree-Hugger]

47. I'm sorry that it happened to you, too. :( nt

[JNelson6563]

50. Lots of small minded people out there.

Terrified of anyone different from them. Fools.

Thanks for the kind words. The good news is I found a MUCH better job within 3 weeks of losing the one I mentioned. I hope with all my heart your friend has the same experience!

We all need to stick together!

Julie--proud member of "different" people

[Tree-Hugger]

61. I am happy that you found a better job

That is very encouraging.

[dembotoz]

38. gotta love church institutions-they can do whatever they want and hide behind their "faith"

[Tree-Hugger]

46. Yep. It's immoral. nt

[Nikia]

41. I'm sorry about your friend

While it may be little consulation to your friend, maybe it will make some students and others involved in that community realize that they were wrong, that their intolerance caused someone who they see as a good person to lose their job.

[Tree-Hugger]

45. Many students support him

There has been an outpouring of love on his personal page. I hope this inspires his students and co-workers to take action against this kind of bigotry.

I worry about the message this sends to other LGBT students and staff at this school. More reason for them to fear and hide.

[gerogie2]

48. It all depends what his contract says.

and what the status of the school is. Is it a religious school? then most likely it is protected from lawsuits.

[Tree-Hugger]

49. Yes. That's why they can do this

It is a Catholic school - Holy Ghost Preparatory School. While they allow gay faculty and faculty from other religions, you have to adhere to Catholic regulations. They knew he was gay for years, but he was fired because he got the marriage license yesterday.

Of course, if he was a pedophile priest he would be promoted to school president.

[DesertFlower]

53. exactly. nt

[searchingforlight]

54. I wonder if they have ever heard of Pope Francis - or Jesus for that matter.

[NaturalHigh]

56. After a quick reading of the article...

I doubt that he will have much legal recourse.

"Griffin believes a particular section of the teachers code of conduct led to his firing. It reads:

"That, although, the School welcomes teachers from other denominations and recognizes their rights to religious freedom, as employees of a Catholic institution, all teachers are expected to uphold lifestyles compatible with the moral teaching of the Roman Catholic Church."

From what I know, private, religious schools can fire someone for just disagreeing about a particular doctrine if they want.

[mstinamotorcity2]

57. I don't think Ignorance

has a religion. Somewhere there is a public school waiting for a great teacher. To add to the work of other great teachers for great kids. They may not see your friend's light or respect his rights, but ask him not to stop teaching because our society needs great teachers. Education is really the gift that keeps giving.

[Tree-Hugger]

62. I believe he will keep teaching

He's very talented and dedicated. He has a passion for teaching. I hope he finds a place that will accept him soon!

[mstinamotorcity2]

63. I wish your friend

all the best.

[uppityperson]

58. k&r for exposure