Tim Nelson alleges that Wisconsin’s Regis Catholic School rescinded its job offer over speculation regarding his sexuality, even though he’s technically heterosexual.
On April 4, Regis announced Nelson, 48, as the president of the local private school system. Nelson was excited at the prospect of returning to his alma mater despite a drastic pay cut, but three weeks later Regis revoked their offer due to “serious issues that have come to the forefront.” Those issues had to do with a man listed in Nelson’s father’s obituary over two years ago.
If this sounds oddly familiar, Carla Hale was fired from an Ohio Catholic school after she was outed in her mother’s obituary. But unlike Hale, Nelson is (allegedly) straight.
And the man, according to Nelson, is his best friend and roommate, but school officials felt that he was listed as a gay partner typically would be — in parentheses behind Nelson’s name in the list of survivors.
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Nelson maintains that the man is a close friend of the family, telling the Leader-Telegram, “The two of us live in community, we share expenses and live a devout Catholic lifestyle and meet daily in a chapel in our home for daily prayers.”
‘Cause that doesn’t sound like a gay relationship, but hey, we’re not here to judge. That is (allegedly) up to Regis officials who must have twisted their ankles in jumping to conclusions.
Nelson informed them that he and his man-friend are not “intimate or sexually active,” but conceded that he should have listed his non-sexual life partner among other friends and families. His mother, however, insisted on including him in the obituary and you know how pushy they can get when it comes to a child settling down. Whether that relationship is real or not, she just wants you to find someone nice already.
Anygay, the Catholic school also brought up a gay Facebook group Nelson claims he inadvertently “liked.” But the real reason Nelson was not hired, Regis alleges, was his “lack of candor about his affiliations with religious communities during the interview process”, possibly referring to Nelson’s history as a Franciscan brother and a three-week residency with Pope John Paul II (no homo).
Nelson calls Regis’ accusations a “complete lie” and is now out to clear his name. He’s already filed a discrimination claim against the parochial school system and has spoken with an attorney about pursuing legal action. Sexual orientation is covered in Wisconsin’s workplace discrimination laws, but religious groups are sometimes exempt depending on the institution’s beliefs and principals.
“The whole thing is based on assumptions, innuendo and speculation,” Nelson argued. “Some people speculate that just because I live with a man I am automatically gay, and that is not the case at all.”
Even if it is the case, it shouldn’t matter. Discrimination is discrimination.
tdx3fan
Just because you are on your knees. Does not mean you are praying! I’m sorry, but I have little to no sympathy for these people that set themselves up to be abused by their religion. Yes, you were born and raised Catholic, but you keep choosing to practice the faith and you are actually shocked when your very faith (the same that has kept you only “living” with your partner for years) slams a door in your face. You would think that would be a wakeup call to find a new religion and a new job.
hyhybt
Even by Catholic standards, there’s nothing sinful going on if they’re not having sex.
Caliban
Man, aside from Catholic church’s intransigent homophobia, what’s really sad here is the degree to which this man has allowed the church to control, and warp, his life. Based on this and other articles I’ve read it seems likely that Nelson is homosexual and has another man as a “life-partner” with whom he lives celibately, denying themselves physical intimacy because a bunch of kiddy-diddlers in dresses say they shouldn’t. He may resist labeling himself as “gay” but that sure as hell doesn’t mean he’s heterosexual!
Dakotahgeo
@tdx3fan: Not so much a new religion but a new congregation/denomination whose doctrine falls in the love of God/love of Christ, salvation for all through the resurrection of Christ! THAT’S Christianity! No denomination can save a soul for eternity, which REALLY pisses off the Roamin’ Catastrophic Church hierarchy! It gives the Christian and Christ a one-on-one relationship! Thank you for your comment, tdx3fan!