Posted on 05/14/2013 4:27:22 PM PDT by IbJensen
(Former Bishop Watterson physical education teacher Carla Hale was fired in March.)
A gay teacher who was fired from a Catholic high school in Ohio says she has been dealt another blow: Her local union isn't supporting her.
Carla Hale taught physical education for 19 years at Bishop Watterson Catholic High School in Columbus. She was fired in March after her name appeared with her longtime lesbian partner's name in her mother's obituary.
The firing, which the school said was prompted by an anonymous letter from a parent complaining about a lesbian teacher, resulted in a heated debate on both sides for the diocese of Columbus.
On Monday, Hale and her attorney announced their request for help with her case had been turned down by the local union for Catholic educators.
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"The COACE [Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators] informs you of the decision of its Grievance Committee not to carry forward the grievance Ms. Carla Hale has filed to challenge the termination of her employment as a Diocesan teacher," read the letter from the Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators, according to WCMH.com in Ohio. It was signed by the union's president, Kathleen Mahoney.
The association did not return calls seeking comment.
Hale was fired March 28, ater returning from a break for her mother's funeral. She said she was called into a meeting with administrators, who had a copy of the obituary for her mother that she and her brother had written. They also handed her an anonymous letter from a parent calling the diocese disgraceful for employing a lesbian teacher at its school.
Her termination letter from Bishop Watterson Principal Marian Hutson declared, "Your written spousal relationship violates the moral laws of the Catholic Church."
Following Hale's dismissal, the school said it received threatening phone calls and a slew of online criticism. But it stood by its decision, even as Hale filed a grievance to seek reinstatement and was denied.
"My living arrangements are my personal business. I'm a very moral person," she told reporters Monday after learning of the union's decision. "My decision to acknowledge a loved one in my mother's obituary was not immoral. I am not immoral."
Hale has also filed a complaint with the city of Columbus, which prohibits firing employees based on sexual orientation.
Her attorney, Tom Tootle, said it could take a month or more for the city to rule on her case, according to WCMH.com. Without help from her union, he asked her supporters for financial assistance.
"Arbitrations can be very expensive. Without the support and assistance of the COACE, we will need the support of all those who have been out there," Tootle said.
Hale's case has received national attention. A Change.org petition calling her to get her job back has more than 127,000 signatures. Locally, a group supporting her called Halestorm Ohio has more than 5,000 members, according to WCMH.com.
Carla Hale, the longtime teacher at Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus Ohio who says she was fired from her job after her lesbian partner's name was listed in her mother's newspaper obituary, describes the "shock" that followed her termination.
"We have a real opportunity not only to see justice done for a great teacher and great mentor, but to also make history. What we do here could impact employment policy all over the country," Amanda Finelli, a member of Halestorm Ohio, told WCMH.com.
NBC News' Jeff Black contributed to this report.
Worse yet, a Catholic school!
Why would this dyke take a job at a catholic school where you know they are against homosexual and lesbian behavior?
Then the cow is upset because the union won't support her?
There are thousands of schools where they are so down on God that they don't not care if their teachers are lesbians.
That's like a guy trying to get a job as a waitress at a hooters restaurant. Just not the right fit.
When will people stop trying to force their beliefs on others? Get a life, become celibate, pray and stop swimming upstream against the current.
Gays and Lesbians will not support Catholic educators..... Why is the street, one way? Mister Miss Ma’am Sir?
There’s a video of the two ‘partners’ at the link.
Or better yet.... Gay and Lesbian Educators will not support Catholics.... but WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
Of course they won’t back you.They’re Catholics.They recognize Ten Commandments,not “Nine Suggestions”.
gee, a female lesbian gym teacher.
gets to see all the girls naked, half-dressed and showering.
it’s like having a hetero guy gym teacher in charge when it’s a lesbian teacher.
OMG a Whining Queer stop the presses!
No thanks...I just ate.
I thought Ernest Borgnine passed away earlier this year.
Guilty
He looks so sad. Poor guy.
I think it's just a big coincidence that they end up in those jobs.
It's not like they're predatory deviants or anything.
/s
“Fired lesbian teacher: Catholic educators union won’t back me”
toughkashitsky....
You drivin’ the wrong way on that street too? Lots of headlights comin’ our way. LOL! Surprised that someone hasn’t put the “rasis” tag on it yet. If hispanics can cry “racism”, how come “happy people” can’t do the same thing?
I say abolish gym! I couldn’t stand the nastiness of the dyke gym teachers - got doctors’ notes to be excused.
She can call herself whatever she want, lady, but according to the Church, she is living in a sinful relationship, and should not be in a position of authority over children in a school. And her relationship is NOT private, anymore, if she includes her 'partner' in an obituary in the newspaper.
She ought to move on to a public school, where the NEA would be happy to support her.
Check this broad’s computer hard drive. Just sayin..
What's moral about deception? She deceived her employer for 18 years.
I’m sure most liberal parents would be thrilled to have such a moral person supervise their teenage daughters.
I’ll bet the school got a few other reports from parents and students...and the school is trying to be kind...just like all the Catholic parishes with “predator” PRIESTS.
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