Carla Hale had taught 19 years at Watterson and received nothing by good reviews from her students, parents and fellow teachers. But the Catholic Teachers union says it will not support Hale’s reinstatement.

“I think it’s obviously shocking to me. But, at this point in time I think we’ve got to move forward.” Says Hale.

Hale contends she was fired last March because she is gay. But the Columbus Catholic Diocese said she was fired because Hale publicized what it calls a “quasi-spousal” relationship with her same-sex partner in her mother’s obituary.
She is appealing the firing to the Watterson superintendent.

Hale’s attorney, Thomas Tootle says the rejection by the teachers union means Hale will not get any financial backing while appealing her case to the Watterson superintendent.

“The main significance of this decision from the Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators is that they will not place their financial backing behind Carla Hale’s cause.” Says Tootle.

Hale has set up a website to collect donations.

The union did not comment. But union president Kathleen Mahoney wrote to Hale that the decision; “should not be interpreted as reflecting unfavorably upon Hale as a person or as an educator.”

Hale has filed a separate complaint with the Columbus Community Relations Department alleging Watterson High School violated a city ordinance banning discrimination.

Attorney Tootle also says a civil suit is still possible but not until all available appeals within the diocese are exhausted. Tootle says that could take up to two years.

“There always remains the possibility for the superintendent to take the grievance process seriously and to reinstate Carla Hale. There’s no rush. We have two years to file it. I don’t certainly anticipate that we would wait that. It’s certainly our hope that it won’t be necessary.” Says Tootle.

Hale’s firing has attracted national attention.

Former physical education teacher Carla Hale disagrees with Central Ohio Bishop Frederick Campbell’s recent comments in a Columbus Dispatch article that she was fired for her “quasi-spousal relationship” with her same-sex partner, rather than for being gay.

Speaking on AllSides with Ann Fisher, Hale underscored she did not violate her contract, as Campbell also claimed.

“The agreement that I signed did not specifically say that I would comply with and act consistently with the philosophy and all the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church,” Hale said, who is Methodist.

Columbus lawyer and Catholics for Ohio board member Don Brey said the Church does not discriminate against homosexuals.

“But nonetheless are called to live lives of chastity,” Brey said. “And that of course is what she openly said she was not doing, and judging from her recent press conferences she has no intention of doing that.”

Hale may file a civil lawsuit if she doesn’t get her job back.

And Moritz College of Law professor Marc Spindelman said it will be important to her case to show the diocese was selective in enforcing its employment rules.

“[To] point out that there was something that was inconsistent about the applicability of the rules that marks this decision in Ms. Hale’s case as distinctive or special in ways that the law ought to recognize,” Spindelman said.

For now, Hale waits to hear back from union representatives whether they support her grievance. And it could be two weeks before the city’s community relations department replies to her complaint against Watterson’s principal Marian Hutson.

Hale was fired in March after the Diocese received an anonymous about Hale’s same-sex partner being listed in Hale’s mother’s obituary.

Carla Hale’s attorney, Tom Tootle, said it could be a couple of weeks before the Columbus Community Relations Commission responds to Hale’s complaint about her firing from Bishop Watterson High School.

In the letter, Hale wrote she was fired based on her sexual orientation; an act she called a “flagrant and unapologetic” violation of city code.

Hale stated she is open to meeting with the Columbus Catholic Diocese to reach a resolution.

The former physical education teacher was fired in late March after the Diocese received an anonymous letter noting Hale listed her same-sex partner in an obituary.

The Diocese has said its employees cannot go against church teachings.

Carla Hale said she had hoped Watterson principal Marian Hutson would reinstate her last week. But Hutson did not.

Hale’s attorney, Tom Tootle, said Monday the complaint will allege Hutson violated the city’s discrimination ordinance.

“[The commission has] the authority to charge someone with a first degree misdemeanor, which basically means that guilty party, should they be found guilty, would be subject to a penalty of no more than a $1,000 fine or six months in jail,” Tootle said.

Tootle said Hale’s employment agreement did not say she would become a Catholic or practice Catholic tenets. Tootle said the contract said she must not engage in immoral acts. And the Diocese said Hale acted immorally when she listed her same-sex partner in her mother’s obituary. Now Hale awaits word from fellow union members, the Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators, whether they support her grievance filed against the Columbus Diocese.

“There’s some ramifications to this decision that they’re about to make which could have impact on all their membership,” Tootle said. “Ms. Hale was terminated under a provision of the agreement that refers to immorality. It doesn’t make any effort to define what that terms means.”

Tootle said Hale also is considering filing an unlawful termination action in civil court.

Current and former Watterson students have rallied behind the physical education teacher. An online petition has collected 100,000 supporter signatures.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus contends school employees cannot go against teachings of the church.

“I go from extremely down and depressed to, you know, stop feeling sorry for yourself look at everything that is going on in the world and this is happening for a reason. And I have to be supporting all those who are standing up in my behalf.” Says Hale.

During a news conference at Stonewall Columbus, Hale says she’ll file a complaint with the Columbus Community Relations Commission. The city has an ordinance banning discrimination of gays and others. Hale’s attorney, Thomas Tootle, says any potential lawsuit will frame constitutional issues on church-state relations.

“There is obviously clear implications of separation of church and state issues, the establishment clause to the United States constitution. However, based upon case law as I see it. We are very confident.”

In a copy of the grievance form distributed at the news conference. Watterson principal, Marion Hutson, writes Hale was fired for “the spousal relationship publicized in the newspaper, which is against church teaching.” Hale mentioned her same-sex partner in her mother’s obituary.

In a written statement, Catholic Diocese of Columbus Communications Director, George Jones, says: “Personnel who choose to publicly espouse relationships or principles that are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church cannot, ultimately, remain in the employ of the church.”

“You can tell you’re working in professional fields because of how you converse, and act and dress and everything,” says Molly Weissman with PNC Bank.

She and several other employers meet with students at Cincinnati’s DePaul Cristo Rey High School at lunchtime.

About 50 businesses and non-profits partner with the two-year old school to give students work experience as they study college-preparatory courses.

Students at Cincinnati Cristo Rey High School work
during normal school hours to prepare for life after
graduation. A similar school is opening in Columbus
this fall. Photo by Debbie Holmes/WOSU

They answer phones, sort mail, and organize presentations while at their jobs, five days a month, during normal school hours.

Fourteen-year-old Freshman Imani Vann works at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

“I thought it would be much more difficult to handle school and working at the same time, but surprising it’s very easy,” says Vann.

Employers pay the school about $6,500 per student which goes to their tuition. State school vouchers are expected to supply about $5,000 per student, if they come from under-performing schools, and the rest of the money needed comes from fundraisers.

President of DePaul Cristo Rey, Sister Jeanne Bessette.

“We believe this is a powerful way to lift another generation of people out of poverty by giving them an educational opportunity that normally you have to pay a lot of money for,” says Bessette.

Cristo Rey Columbus is scheduled to open in August with a freshman class of about 100 students. Renovations at a temporary site will get underway this month.

“This side of the hallway we will have one classroom, and we will knock out the walls that are the east, west walls.”

In 2014, a permanent school building will open downtown at the old Ohio State School for the Deaf near the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library.

President of the new school, Jim Foley says the Archdiocese of Columbus is sponsoring the new school that will emphasize a college-preparatory education and job experience.

“We’re taking students that in many cases are 2 to 3 years behind academically. So we’re not taking kids that are testing, coming into high school at the junior level,” explains Foley.

The school day and school year are longer and tutoring is available after school.

Fourteen-year-old Miriam Garcia is looking forward to being the first in her family to go to college. Garcia says her parents who immigrated from Mexico are very supportive.

“They want me to succeed, they had the opportunities but they didn’t take them. And they want me to succeed, they want to see me succeed and I want to show them I can. I want to make them proud,” says Garcia.

Garcia is Catholic, but students of all faiths are welcome. They all however must study four years of Catholic theology.

Regional President of Commerce National Bank, Jennifer Griffith says her company will employ four students.

“We want them to help us do some database work, keeping our databases accurate, up to date, engaging with our professional staff,” explains Griffith.

In early August, the freshman class will undergo two weeks of work training where they’ll learn what is expected of them in the workforce.

Mayor Coleman disagrees. After tweeting his support for Hale today, Mayor Coleman told 89.7 NPR News, if the diocese terminated Hale for being gay, it should re-consider the decision.

“I would hope that if it is the case, that the diocese would reverse its decision and rehire her, because that’s just not the Columbus way.”

Mayor Coleman says the city prides itself on supporting the GLBT community. Columbus has an ordinance which protects employees from discrimination including sexual orientation. The Catholic diocese has declined to comment on Hale’s dismissal.

The letter was from the Columbus Diocese and signed by Hutson.

“I turned to the principal and I said, ‘Are we talking like immediately? Am I supposed to leave the building?’ And she just, she said, ‘Yes.’”

That was March 28, and Hale hasn’t been back since.

Hale is gay. And she said that is the reason the Columbus Diocese fired her, for what it said was a violation of moral law.

An anonymous letter, along with Hale’s mother’s obituary, was sent to the Diocese in February. Hale’s same-sex partner was listed in the obit.

Hale, a 19-year health and physical education teacher at Watterson, said she did not discuss her sexual orientation with colleagues. She said only a few close co-workers knew. And for nearly 20 years, there was never a problem.

Hale called the anonymous letter cowardly.

“To use my mom’s obituary, her death, to write this letter. And, honestly, we wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for her death, nor if my partner’s name was Chris.”

During the past couple of days some 7,000 Hale supporters – current students, alumni, others who support gay rights – have signed an online petition asking Bishop Watterson to reinstate Hale.

2010 Watterson graduate Michael Liggett remembered Hale fondly. Liggett said he was “shocked” and “disgusted” when he learned why his former teacher was fired.

“Coach Hale was a highly respected member of the staff,” he said. “She was greatly loved by her students, and just an overall woman of wonderful integrity.”

Natalie Theado, who graduated from Bishop Watterson in 1998, also signed the petition. Theado called Hale a caring and good person. Theado said she never thought about Hale’s sexual orientation.

“What does it matter at the end of the day, you know? I mean, we are all people just trying to make it in this world,” Theado said.

Hale spoke positively of Bishop Watterson, its staff and its students. And she has filed a grievance with the Diocese, asking to get back her job.

“At this point in time, that’s all I’m hoping for.”

But if Hale isn’t reinstated, she has other options. She can ask for the city to investigate whether the Diocese violated a city ordinance which protects employees from discrimination including sexual orientation.

Napoleon Bell, who directs Columbus’ Community Relations Commission, said religious employers are not exempt from the city ordinance.

“There is not that exemption,” Bell said. “It applies to any agency or business that employs four people or more.”

If the commission found discrimination, it would turn the case over to the city attorney’s office.

And Hale’s attorney, Tom Tootle, said a judge could order the Diocese to reinstate her.

“If the school doesn’t do the right thing it’s certainly conceivable that we could file a complaint with the community relations commission,” Tootle said.

Bishop Watterson school officials and the Diocese declined comment for this story.

Watterson alum Liggett wants to see Hale get her job back. But if not, he said he hopes her firing generates a dialogue about LGBT educators.

“They are still individuals of the utmost integrity and really display the true foundations and goals of Watterson and the Catholic school system.”

Hale said she does not think the Catholic Church is ready for the conversation Liggett wants, but she said it has to start somewhere.

“As most changes take place, it has to be the younger generation stepping up,” Hale said. “And they’ve obviously shown great tolerance and love and support. And so, it’s a step.”

Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin says it would not have been in the best interest of justice, the victim or other potential victims not to keep pursuing the case.

Hanlin told the Steubenville Herald-Star for a story Sunday that it was absolutely the right decision to make.

Hanlin also disputes the role that bloggers and online activists played in publicizing details about the rape. He tells the newspaper the two players were convicted based on evidence police had gathered within the first few days of the investigation.

A message was left with the victim’s attorney.

A grand jury about to be seated in eastern Ohio will investigate whether other laws were broken in the case of a 16-year-old girl raped by two high school football players last year.

Nothing is off the table for the Jefferson County panel expected to be selected Monday in Steubenville, said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

“The grand jury is a very good investigative tool as well as a very deliberative body,” DeWine said. It will investigate everything that happened before and after the rape, he said.

Some of the outstanding questions in the case include whether anyone knew about the rape early on but didn’t report it and how dozens of teens attending a party that preceded the attack got a hold of beer and other alcohol.

DeWine has also previously confirmed that the grand jury will look at allegations of another rape the previous April.

A judge last month convicted the two football players of penetrating the West Virginia girl with their fingers after an alcohol-fueled party, once in a moving car and later in the basement of a house.

Ma’Lik Richmond, 16, was sentenced to at least a year in the state juvenile detention system, minus about two months he spent in jail before the trial.

Trent Mays, 17, was sentenced to at least two years in juvenile detention because he was also convicted of photographing the underage girl naked.

One of the reasons DeWine wanted a grand jury is because, even though the teens were arrested within days of the August attack, charges of a cover-up have dogged the case.

Part of that related to inaccurate reports early on that the local prosecutor’s son, who plays on the football team, was involved in the attack. The prosecutor took herself off the case and DeWine’s office stepped in.

The influence of the Big Red football team on community judgment was also questioned, with the coach and district criticized for allowing boys who witnessed the attack to continue playing that fall.

Testimony during the March trial indicated head football coach Reno Saccoccia may have been aware of the rape allegation early on. The coach knew what happened and “took care of it,” according to a text message read at trial.

Coaches are among officials required by state law to report abuse.

The school district, which is not commenting or permitting Saccoccia to speak, has acknowledged that the coach, the superintendent and the high school principal are among those who were interviewed by investigators before the rape trial.

Last fall, bloggers and hacker activists filled cyberspace with allegations that not enough was being done to investigate the entire case. In January, further controversy arose when a 12-minute video that first appeared on YouTube after the rape and mocked the attack was reposted.

In that video, made within hours of the attack, a recent Steubenville high school student, Michael Nodianos, joked about the assault as others in the background laughed along. “She is so raped right now,” Nodianos says in the video.

The National Organization of Women has pressed DeWine for months to charge Nodianos with failing to report a crime.

Nodianos has said he regrets his behavior. His attorney has said the teen didn’t have firsthand knowledge of the attack.

Investigators also interviewed the owners of a Steubenville house where the video was filmed, which was the same place a photograph was taken of the girl being carried by her ankles and wrists. That picture, Exhibit No. 1 at the trial, generated international outrage.

The owners of the house where the party was held weren’t interviewed before or during the trial.

With allegations of a cover-up continuing post-trial, a special judge, retired Summit County judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove, was appointed to oversee the grand jury’s work.

DeWine said last week that the grand jury, once seated, won’t begin work for about two weeks. He said the delay relates to his office’s continuing evaluation of evidence.

A grand jury doesn’t indict juveniles but could recommend charges that could be brought by a prosecutor.

Victims of human trafficking often are prostituted or pushed to work against their will in sweatshop-type jobs. Some are girls as young as 11.

State Rep. Teresa Fedor, a Toledo Democrat, said Monday she expects to introduce the legislation in the coming days to toughen the penalties for those who purchase commercial sex of a minor. Solicitors would also be required to register as a sex offender.

Among other changes, her proposal would increase the statute of limitations for human trafficking from six years to 20. It would ban people from knowingly purchasing advertising space for sexual activity for hire that includes a depiction of a minor.