Since inspiring teachers are a dime a dozen, it shouldn’t be much of an issue that Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia fired band director Flint Dollar (side note: seriously badass name, Flint).
Oh, wait a second, they aren’t.
But Flint, who is totally “that teacher” on campus, the one who’s old enough to wield authority, young enough to connect with teens and pours his heart and soul into his job to the point that kids are actually excited to be around him, was fired.
Fired for getting engaged. To a man.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
And in yet another case of the Catholic establishment being nine steps behind its own congregations, parents and students at the private Catholic school are not taking this lying down.
Especially since his termination clearly violates the school’s own policy, which states that:
“Mount de Sales Academy is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state, or local law.”
It’s notable that Flint has been completely up front with his sexuality to school administrators, including his plans to get married.
If you think now’s a good time for him to lawyer up, that’s exactly what he’s doing.
The decision to fire him was almost without question handed down from the Diocese, and it’s a mark of the times that students and parents are stepping up to Flint’s defense.
This morning they carried out a protest to urge church officials to reconsider.
One parent said, “I’m absolutely outraged. I’m not willing to stand by and say, ‘That’s OK.’ It speaks to who this man is that all these people are here. He’s been a role model.”
But you won’t find Flint protesting. “This is their statement. I’m not taking that away from them. I want students to learn that you stand up for what you believe in and what you believe is right,” he said.
Aw, Teach.
via The Telegraph
AxelDC
And then churches wonder why young people abandon them in droves. Fire a teacher for getting married, and you teach his students that your church is filled with hate and bigotry.
Southstguy
Here’s a crazy idea. STOP TAKING JOBS IN PLACES ASSOCIATED WITH RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE.
Is it wrong to get fired? Yes. But it’s like a black man buying a house across the street from a KKK clubhouse and being surprised when he gets a burning cross on the lawn. It’s wrong, but you’re inviting it into your life.
aequalitasTN
@AxelDC: Typically I would agree with you, and while sympathizing with someone for loosing their job, would readily point out that they knew the risk of accepting the position, but in this case, they are in violation of their own policy, which for any employer, religious or otherwise, is a huge legal disaster. So, in this case, he has a case, and frankly I hope he hits them hard. As always, however, it would be better to see these so called followers of Christ actually practice some of the things their founder taught instead of just being backwards (we can all dream I suppose).
aequalitasTN
@Southstguy: Sorry, previous comment was meant to be a response to @Southstguy:
Mezaien
More D.E.K.C.U.F UP criminals catholic, Christian murderers.
stanhope
@Southstguy: Here’s an even crazier idea….have those pedophiliac priests kiss my ass and you with them. I’ll make sure to take some cascara sagrada pills before you pucker.
DickieJohnson
@Mezaien: More tiresome insanity & hate. Get something new, or S.T.F.U.
DickieJohnson
Yeah, sic’em, Flint! Great idea of keeping out of the supporters’ fray. Let them have at it. BTW, I LOOOVE your big sexy ears, Dude!
stevens7676
…I am gay and also a Christian. I am however NOT A PEDOPHILE nor do I accept or tolerate that sort of behavior. It seems this educator is a quality man. He is highly respected and regarded as a an important influence on his students. BOTTOM LINE, this school chose to make a stereotypical, prejudiced, unhealthy and illegal choice to fire him. I wish he could get his job back, HE AND HIS STUDENTS DESERVE to influence each other (but we all know the catholic church can choose to run pretty closed minded). He most likely will be awarded a court settlement. I really wish he could more win the church’s respect and admiration in the quality of his work.
stevens7676
@DickieJohnson: SOMETHING NEW WOULD BE FOR THIS CRAP TO STOP. Until it does, call it out, yell at it, sue it, educate it, but never SHUT UP ABOUT IT, that’s WEAK
IvanPH
I still do not get why a self-respecting gay person would choose to be a Catholic and even work in a school run by a religious organization which brings homophobia to whole new levels?!