After a mere six weeks at St. Andrew’s in Boca Raton, Florida, Dominick Giombetti stepped down after students discovered his homo ways. It all started with that magic word: google, and ended when Giombetti’s role in a gay-themed play came to the surface. The play, however, was not explicit.
While school administrators insisted Giombetti could stay on, their long-term commitment seemed shaky, to say the least:
[Giombetti] says administrators later told him he could return to work and to his theater life, but they also reminded him that his contract would be under review at the end of the school year.
Giombetti took that to mean his contract would not be renewed. He couldn’t shake the words he says he heard from a top administrator:
“She said, ‘The best-case scenario is that you will finish out your contract, and then we’ll part company.’ “
While the school says no ultimatum had been made, Giombetti knew many didn’t approve of his faggotry and felt it best to leave. He left the kids with this kernel: “Don’t be afraid to express who you are. And don’t be afraid to challenge those who question who you are.”
Didn’t he just crumble to identical pressure? Indeed.
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Ernest
If we as gay americans can march in gay pride parades or participate in a gay event, why the hell are we quiting our jobs when they find out we are gay? That’s so childish. So what, if your a teacher or a cop or a lawyer, mayor or even president or whatever. DO YOUR DAMN JOB AND STOP QUITING, stop making the rest of look like quiters.
Film_Girl
I read the entire article, but try as I might, I just can’t be supportive of Giombetti’s decision/dilemma. Undoubtedly, being outed by middle-school students — at a religious school no less (though Episcopalians, at least where I live, are very tolerent) — could be traumatic/uncomfortable/embarassing; that doesn’t mean you quit your job and then try to blame that decision on others. If he really wanted to make a statement about standing up for his beliefs (and his rights) and self-expression, he has a warped way of showing it. The school might not have been as supportive as he would have liked, but they never asked him to leave or threatened to fire him. Not guaranteeing him a position at the end of his contract isn’t exactly an ultimatum, it’s a private school (even if I disagree with some of their board members opinions, it is still a private school); if he really wanted job stability, maybe he should have gone to a public school. To me, this is a slap in the face to all the gay educators before him who fought much harsher indignities and prejudices just so they could be hired. How does he expect his students to grow to be tolerent of all people, no matter what their sexual orientation is, if he is just going to quit once “outted”? All that does is reaffirm the repugnant belief that being gay is wrong.
jack e. jett
oh no
ms chokesondix is going to be bummed.
jack jet
Joel
Obviously the above posters have never been the object of discrimination in public schools. I have, in a rural midwest state. While they can’t fire you, they do everything to make your life a living hell. Students are allowed to harass you without being punished. The administration does not support any discipline decisions you make in the classroom. Parents “somehow” hear rumors and make explicit requests that their kids be pulled out of your classroom so they aren’t exposed to that lifestyle, and the administration does it. In the end, some battles aren’t worth fighting, not at the cost of my own health.
dan
You guys are totally missing the point. The teacher was on a year by year contract. The school can simply decide not to sign him for another year–they dont even have to give a reason. The school made it pretty clear they werent gonna ask Giombetti back. There was nothing to fight. He simply decided to start looking for new work now, rather than wait until May when the competition is much worse. Give the guy a break!
Jordy
Thank you to the individuals that support Dominick’s decision. He’s a good friend and a really wonderful person, I believe he did the right thing.
Jordy
PS
You Queens need to stop being so nasty.
If anyone wants to see evidence of the positive impact that Dominick had on the community, check the comments over at the Palm Beach Post. Amazing!
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/accent/epaper/2006/09/28/a1e_Dominick_Glombetti_0928.html
student from saint andrews
im sad to see him leave he was a good teacher
Ernest
Discrimination, don’t even get me started on being discriminated. I am a gay deaf male. Try talking to people and have them go “huh?” Or talk to you like some mentally retarded person. Or better yet deal with hearing the the N word or faggot growing up from your male members in the family. Then listen to it after you come out of the closet. It’s people like you “oh oh oh” lets quit escape the harsh realities. DAMN IT BLACK PEOPLE AIN’T DO THAT. They took that and swallowed it and CAME OUT ON TOP. Gay people need to start doing that. Let them make ur lives a living hell. Whippings, Beatings, denying of rights, etc. didn’t stop blacks why should gays? Shame on you!
disgusted
I cant believe how you as a Newspaper have posted this story! “His Homo ways” If that isnt a derogatory term then what is? I cannot belive your editor would even allow you to post terms like this. And to top it off add in a photo of the South Park gay teacher as if this incident is humorous? I am severly saddend at the fact this man was treated like this and horrified at how you have reported it. The fact that he was awarded the job in the first place, and then was threatened and pushed out when his sexuality was discovered is appauling to me. What year do we live in? Grow up everyone. Because someone around you is gay doesnt mean you or your children will end up gay. Stop treating this guy as if he is into Child Porn or something, he simply loves differently from you. Open your minds and stop living in the past. I hope this guy carries on his teaching passion. God bless you and I wish you luck.
Jordy
FYI-
Dominick is teaching as a sub today. Hopefully, he’ll land a F/T job soon.