Catholic School Makes Two LGBT Teachers Resign After They Got Engaged, The Students Stage A Massive Walkout
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As Josh Billings once said, “Honesty is the rarest wealth anyone can possess.” If you really think of this, it would seem that children are the wealthiest in this regard. Furthermore, they tend to overlook everything else and glance right into the core of what it means to be human and therefore stand up to injustice. That’s exactly what happened in Kennedy Catholic High in Burien, Seattle, where the students walked out protesting the resignation of two teachers who allegedly were forced to do so after getting engaged to their same-sex partners.
Students of Kennedy Catholic High walked out in protest against the forced resignation of two gay teachers
It might seem like a coincidence that both English teacher Paul Danforth and soccer coach Michelle Beattie quit their jobs in Kennedy Catholic High after they got engaged to their same-sex partners. And even though the school insists that these teachers quit voluntarily, Danforth’s fiance Sean Nyberg said Danforth was forced out soon after he got engaged at Disneyland on November 1.
Paul Danforth and Michelle Beattie both quit their jobs soon after getting engaged to their same-sex partners
Hearing this, their pupils just couldn’t stay quiet and flooded the hallways of their school in protest. They then later took the protest outside to the school’s front lawn where they were joined by their parents, many of whom described both teachers who were forced to resign as “highly capable”.
The students organized a mass walk-out after hearing the news
Turns out, the school actually requires teachers to sign a contract that the school can revoke if “the teacher’s lifestyle is incompatible with Catholic moral values or if his/her conduct is at variance with Catholic teaching. While some of the parents were certainly aware of this clause, they never thought the school would actually ever act on it and saw it as injustice.
Students went into the hallways and staged a sit-in, refusing to go back into their classrooms
Erika Dubois, a mother of one of the students who helped to plan the walkout said she had never expected the school to actually act upon the clause mentioned. “Would it have been applied if a teacher were divorced and remarried? Or had children out of wedlock?” She also added that she’s “sad about the message this sends to LGBTQ students: “We love and accept you but we can’t employ you.”
They then moved the protest to the front lawn where the parents joined in as well
Paul Danforth’s fiance, Sean Nyberg, was also convinced that the students were extremely brave to take action and said it was “braver than anything I’ve seen any adults do. The drive and the willingness to maybe get in trouble is pretty inspiring. And that the rest of the world is watching.”
People on the Internet admired their gesture
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They are so brave to do that! I like the guy who's sign said I'm gay. What's next - am I expelled? I'm also happy the parents joined in. Leggo lgbtq+++++
This is the same religion that considers homosexuality a terrible sin but didn't seem to find any fault in letting adult priests rape little children and teenagers.
Oh yes, they excuse it, hide predators, and mollify their congregation with lies. Ex-catholic here says FUCK the catholic crutch.
Do you even think they know everyone has there own mind if they win or not who truly knew everyone gets vengeance in there own time so why don’t you chill?
I don’t get what it is with people we are fine with lgbtq+ people in the Bible it was misinterpreted since king someone redid the bible
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What a ridiculous comment. You don't think the church has issues with the misconduct of its own clergy?
So what happened? Did they get their jobs back? I really hope so. I agree with the post that said what about divorced teachers and teachers with babies out of wedlock. Can't pick and choose. Every one should have the right to live life as they are fit as long as they aren't hurting anyone. I used to be catholic. The farther away from Christianity I get the happier and sane I get. And I feel like I'm living a more moral life than some people in church. I treat people equally and fairly, I try to look at all sides of situations before I make decisions, I treat all living things (animals, people)with love. I treat people how I want to be treated, with respect. I'm not perfect, I'm not always right and my opinions are my own. I respect yours please respect mine. If you live a hate filled life, you get hate back. If you love you get love back. It's amazing how the universe works in circles like that. None of this I learned from the bible.
I doubt they would want to work at that school again. There would be a toxic atmosphere there.
This is true. Maybe they can find somewhere they are happy!
I hope they do get their jobs back and prove to everyone that LOVE IS LOVE and how to live by the Golden Rule. I couldn't be more proud of these students and their parents!!!!!! Just wait and see what happens if the parents remove the students and their tuition $$$
Not with most of the students and parents on their side!
Not yet, anyway. The High School President released a statement which to my mind is pretty much saying "They weren't fired because they are gay! They were fired because being gay means that they can't renew their promise to live and model the Catholic faith." (https://b-townblog.com/2020/02/21/kennedy-catholic-high-school-president-releases-statement-about-teacher-resignations/)
These kids are awesome and so are their parents for supporting them. We have to stop mistreating others and them claiming it was their decision to be mistreated. Forcing these teachers to resign is a horrible message to send to the students and the community.
WTGDF??? People have completely misunderstood my comment here! My point is that the students have done a good thing by standing up for the teachers and the staff can't ignore that. How could you think I said something else???
they meant their comment "Agreed, but the students have overwhelmed the staff and it's not possible to ignore that." was misunderstood, Celtic Pirate Queen
You said "I doubt they would want to work at that school again. There would be a toxic atmosphere there." How the fuck was that misunderstood?
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Those parents are hypocrites.
Okay, Mr. Catholic Church, I will bite: why are the parents hypocrites? 🙄
I am just wondering what you mean by that.
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Agreed, but the students have overwhelmed the staff and it's not possible to ignore that.
So what's your point Tiny Dynamine? I think it was the students' point exactly to overwhelm the school administrators who forced this issue, and bring it to the public's attention.... In my opinion that is a very good thing!!! These kids have better morals than that administration. #ISurvivedCatholicSchool
They are so brave to do that! I like the guy who's sign said I'm gay. What's next - am I expelled? I'm also happy the parents joined in. Leggo lgbtq+++++
This is the same religion that considers homosexuality a terrible sin but didn't seem to find any fault in letting adult priests rape little children and teenagers.
Oh yes, they excuse it, hide predators, and mollify their congregation with lies. Ex-catholic here says FUCK the catholic crutch.
Do you even think they know everyone has there own mind if they win or not who truly knew everyone gets vengeance in there own time so why don’t you chill?
I don’t get what it is with people we are fine with lgbtq+ people in the Bible it was misinterpreted since king someone redid the bible
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
What a ridiculous comment. You don't think the church has issues with the misconduct of its own clergy?
So what happened? Did they get their jobs back? I really hope so. I agree with the post that said what about divorced teachers and teachers with babies out of wedlock. Can't pick and choose. Every one should have the right to live life as they are fit as long as they aren't hurting anyone. I used to be catholic. The farther away from Christianity I get the happier and sane I get. And I feel like I'm living a more moral life than some people in church. I treat people equally and fairly, I try to look at all sides of situations before I make decisions, I treat all living things (animals, people)with love. I treat people how I want to be treated, with respect. I'm not perfect, I'm not always right and my opinions are my own. I respect yours please respect mine. If you live a hate filled life, you get hate back. If you love you get love back. It's amazing how the universe works in circles like that. None of this I learned from the bible.
I doubt they would want to work at that school again. There would be a toxic atmosphere there.
This is true. Maybe they can find somewhere they are happy!
I hope they do get their jobs back and prove to everyone that LOVE IS LOVE and how to live by the Golden Rule. I couldn't be more proud of these students and their parents!!!!!! Just wait and see what happens if the parents remove the students and their tuition $$$
Not with most of the students and parents on their side!
Not yet, anyway. The High School President released a statement which to my mind is pretty much saying "They weren't fired because they are gay! They were fired because being gay means that they can't renew their promise to live and model the Catholic faith." (https://b-townblog.com/2020/02/21/kennedy-catholic-high-school-president-releases-statement-about-teacher-resignations/)
These kids are awesome and so are their parents for supporting them. We have to stop mistreating others and them claiming it was their decision to be mistreated. Forcing these teachers to resign is a horrible message to send to the students and the community.
WTGDF??? People have completely misunderstood my comment here! My point is that the students have done a good thing by standing up for the teachers and the staff can't ignore that. How could you think I said something else???
they meant their comment "Agreed, but the students have overwhelmed the staff and it's not possible to ignore that." was misunderstood, Celtic Pirate Queen
You said "I doubt they would want to work at that school again. There would be a toxic atmosphere there." How the fuck was that misunderstood?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Those parents are hypocrites.
Okay, Mr. Catholic Church, I will bite: why are the parents hypocrites? 🙄
I am just wondering what you mean by that.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Agreed, but the students have overwhelmed the staff and it's not possible to ignore that.
So what's your point Tiny Dynamine? I think it was the students' point exactly to overwhelm the school administrators who forced this issue, and bring it to the public's attention.... In my opinion that is a very good thing!!! These kids have better morals than that administration. #ISurvivedCatholicSchool