District Says Teacher Was Not Fired For Sexual Orientation

[The Straight Story]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -

A former teacher who said she was fired for being gay said she was told Tuesday night that she was fired for a spousal relationship, rather than her sexual orientation.

Former Bishop Watterson physical education teacher Carla Hale met with principal Marian Hutson Tuesday night after Hale was fired for what was referred to as her written spousal relationship.

Hale said Hutson told her the grievance documents support termination.

The documents claim that Hale was not terminated for being gay, but for the relationship that was publicized in a newspaper obituary.

Hale said she was fired after 19 years, after an obituary for her mother listed the name of a woman as Hale's partner.

Hale's attorney, Tom Tootle said they will file a complaint with Columbus' community relations committee because, he said, it is not legal to fire an employee based on sexual orientation.

Personnel matters remain confidential by policy of the Diocese of Columbus and thus cannot be discussed in specific terms by diocesan staff, even cases that are working their way through grievance procedures and/or have gained significant publicity. However, what can be said in general terms is that all Catholic school personnel at the outset of their employment agree that they will abide by the rules, regulations, and policies of the Catholic Diocese, including respecting the moral values advanced by the teachings of Christ. The Catholic Church respects the fundamental dignity of all persons but also must insist that those in its employ respect the tenets of the Church. Personnel who choose to publicly espouse relationships or principles that are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church cannot, ultimately, remain in the employ of the Church.

http://www.nbc4i.com/story/22067336/district-says-teacher-was-not-fired-for-sexual-orientation

[Donald Ian Rankin]

1. Not because she was gay, just because she was in love with another woman? N.T.

[elleng]

2. Oh, that's MUCH better!

'She was fired after 19 years, after an obituary for her mother listed the name of a woman as Hale's partner.'

[dballance]

3. So Are They Saying?

"We didn't fire her because she's a lesbian. We fired her because of her lesbian relationship?"

I fail to see much difference between the two statements.

[NutmegYankee]

4. Isn't that the same thing?

She was fired because she was in a relationship with a woman. I.E., she's gay.

[geek tragedy]

5. Er, except they fired her because of an obituary, not any kind of public espousement on her part.

Lying bigots.

[we can do it]

6. Just more hatefull reigious mumbo-jumbo.

Jesus never said jack shit about it.

[Brickbat]

7. I thought Catholics taught that being gay was OK, and even being in a gay realtionship was OK,

as long as you didn't have sex? What if they never had sex, Catholic Church? THEN would it be OK?

What a damn joke.

[cyberswede]

8. ...and how nice to lose her job right after losing her mother.

Good lord.

[irisblue]

9. City of Columbus

has some meager civil right protections in place. This is gonna be interesting. And what kind of hateful/hating person goes through obits to rat out a respected long time teacher? I hope their kids learn better catholic behavior from other adults.

[Rex]

10. They admit to firing her for her sexual orientation and then double down

and admit it again about the obituary. And I would LOVE one of them to point out where it says in the Bible two women cannot be in love with each other...I won't hold my breath waiting.

[Botany]

11. Watterson is a very good school and has had wonderful students and teachers and they ....

.... will lose this fight big time. Everybody knew that the teacher was gay for years
but she was only fired after an anonymous letter was sent after an obit for the teacher's
mom was published listed the teacher's partner. Her past and present students along
with her fellow teachers and much of the community are very much in support of Ms. Hale.

The more that the Catholic Diocese and Watterson High School fight this "thing" the more it
will cost them ....... Ms. Hale is on record as saying she just wants her job back.

[Greybnk48]

12. I may be wrong, but I don't think Jesus said anything

about homosexuality according to the Bible. So she did not do anything that runs counter to the teachings of Jesus.