The firing of a physical education teacher from her job at a Catholic high school in Columbus, Ohio, could be a violation of a city ordinance.
Carla Hale, 57, worked at Bishop Watterson High School for 19 years. She says school officials handed her a letter from an anonymous parent who had clipped Hale's mother’s obituary. Beside Hale’s name was the name of her female domestic partner. The parent was outraged that Hale would be allowed to teach at the school.
"I was totally shocked," Hale said. "I mean, I think it was just one of those where everything was drained out of me."
When she was fired on March 28, her dismissal notice explicitly referred to her same-sex relationship as the basis of her termination.
Students and other supporters rallied around Hale, starting an online petition to have her job reinstated, which now has more than 10,500 signatures. (As of this post it has 21, 275 signatures. Including mine.) The petition asks the diocese of Columbus to “reinstate faculty member Carla Hale and apologize for discriminating against her on the basis of sexuality.”
A contract between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus and the Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators establishes that teachers can be terminated on the grounds of immorality or serious unethical conduct.
The school found Hale in violation of Diocesan Policy 45116.1, stating that Catholic school personnel will set an example of moral behavior, upholding the rules of the Catholic faith. The Church does not support homosexual lifestyles and teaches that people who feel they are attracted to the same sex must never act on those feelings.
The woman works at the school for 19 years, Does her job very well, and is liked by both students and fellow teachers, And yet suddenly because of who she loves she loses her job?
And this happens right after her mother passes away?
Such Christian compassion on display don't you think?
Well as it turns out there are laws to protect employees from this type of blatant homophobia and discrimination.
There is a city ordinance in Columbus making it illegal for any employer to discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation. It carries up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
"We're fortunate in Columbus to have a municipal ordinance that was passed in 2008 that does protect people and there are no exceptions in that ordinance for religious institutions," said her attorney, Tom Tootle.
This is why, for all you Libertarians out there, that we have to give government the power to protect its citizens from unscrupulous, and unethical business practices.
The woman's only "sin" is that she loves another woman. And by the standards of these primitive superstitious assholes that makes her unfit to educate their children. Personally I am getting tired of this bullshit.
