Ohio Cath. School Fires Teacher Who Is a Lesbian; Diocese Says Lesbians Violate Teachings of Christ

A Catholic high school in Columbus, Ohio is being targeted for possible legal action because school officials fired a veteran teacher at the school after they discovered that she is a lesbian, The New American website reports today (May 6, 2013).

Carla Hale -- a Methodist who taught for 19 years at Bishop Watterson High School -- told the Columbus Dispatch newspaper that she was terminated in March after a parent noticed an obituary for Hale's mother that included the name of Hale's lesbian partner.

The parent complained to school officials, resulting in Hale being fired from her job as a teacher and coach. Hale has hired an attorney in an effort to be reinstated, since a Columbus city ordinance "makes it a misdemeanor for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on sexual orientation."

A letter to Hale from school officials recounted the policy of the diocese, which reads: "In keeping with the moral values advanced by the teachings of Christ, the tenets of the Catholic Church, and the policies and regulations of the diocese and school, Catholic school personnel are expected to be examples of moral behavior and professionalism." The letter then informed Hale: "Your written spousal relationship violates the moral laws of the Catholic Church.... As a result, your contract with Bishop Watterson High School is terminated effective Thursday March 28, 2013."