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April 24, 2013

Ohio Teacher Fired After Mother's Obit Includes Lesbian Partner 
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An Ohio Catholic high school physical education teacher has lost her job
after her lesbian partner's name appeared in her mother's obituary.
Carla Hale of Clintonville, Ohio, had listed her partner as among the
survivors of her late mother. Just days after her mother's funeral, Hale
was fired after a complaint from an anonymous parent.

Carla Hale: "She asked me if I really wanted to put her name in there
—- in the obituary—- but as we sat there that day — my
mom really loved Julie and Julie loved my my mom. And as I sat there
with my brother, you know, it was like ... his wife was mentioned, my
niece’s husband was mentioned, so why not? Why not my person I love?"

Hale had worked at Bishop Watterson High School for 19 years before her
dismissal. A Change.org petition calling for her reinstatement has
received more than 50,000 signatures.

 

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