Teacher claims he was fired after husband’s obituary revealed he was gay
Mark Richards – a Louisiana Catholic school teacher – claims he was fired after his husband’s obituary revealed he was gay. (TikTok/ Facebook/ Mark A Richards)
Mark Richards – a Louisiana Catholic school teacher – claims he was fired after his husband’s obituary revealed he was gay. (TikTok/ Facebook/ Mark A Richards)
A Louisiana Catholic school teacher claims he was dismissed from his role after his husband’s obituary publicly revealed he was gay.
Mark Richards says a parent complained to New Orleans’ St Francis Xavier School, where he was a music teacher, after reading his late husband’s obituary – which listed Mark as his spouse.
The 63-year-old says employees of the school have to sign a mortality clause. WDSU News obtained this document, which outlines specific acts which may lead to termination, including: “Actively engaging in homosexual activity”.
“Because I had signed 20 years of contracts with the morality clause, that I had lied on my contracts, and that was the reason for my dismissal,” he said.
@pinknews A Louisiana Catholic school has dismissed a band director after his husband’s obituary revealed he is gay. 63-year-old Mark Richards says a parent complained to New Orleans’ St Francis Xavier school, where he was a music teacher, after reading his late husband’s obituary – which listed Mark as his spouse. Mark says employees of the school have to sign a morality clause. WDSU News obtained this document, which outlines specific acts which may lead to termination, including: ‘Actively engaging in homosexual activity’ “Because I had signed 20 years of contracts with the morality clause, that I had lied on my contracts, and that was the reason for my dismissal”. When asked specifically what policy the school told Mark he violated, he said: “That I was living with a man, as we were married, and we weren’t married in the eyes of God” The St. Francis Xavier school sent an email to parents to inform them of Mark’s dismissal. Obtained by WDSU News, the email reads: ‘After much thought and prayerful consideration, we determined that Mr. Mark would not be given a contract for the upcoming year.’ ‘We cannot, by law, comment any further on the reasons behind this decision’ ‘Please know we strive to always make decisions that uphold the teachings of the Catholic faith that are in the best interest of our school.’ Since Mark’s dismissal, a change.org petition has been set up by parents requesting that Mr.Mark be reinstated and the morality clause that employees must sign be revisited. The petition reads: ‘As a parent of children who attend our beloved school, St. Francis Xavier School in Metairie, LA, we have loved Mr. Mark as their teacher. He was not just an educator but a beacon of kindness and understanding in their lives.’ “I hope somewhere that a young teacher who is gay, male or female, and is scared to come out and be who they are, has the courage to do this” #catholicschool #musicteacher #obituary #gay #samesexmarriage🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 #lgbtqia ♬ Minimal for news / news suspense(1169746) – Hiraoka Kotaro
When asked specifically what policy the school told Mark he violated, he said: “That I was living with a man, as we were married, and we weren’t married in the eyes of God.”
The St Francis Xavier School sent an email to parents to inform them of Mark’s dismissal. Obtained by WDSU News, the email reads: “After much thought and prayerful consideration, we determined that Mr. Mark would not be given a contract for the upcoming year.
“We cannot, by law, comment any further on the reasons behind this decision. Please know we strive to always make decisions that uphold the teaching of the Catholic faith that are in the best interest of our school.”
Since Mark’s dismissal, a change.org petition has been set up by parents requesting that he is reinstated and that the morality clause that employees must sign is revisited.
The petition, which at the time of writing has more than 4,700 supporters, reads: As a parent of children who attend our beloved school, St. Francis Xavier School in Metairie, LA, we have loved Mr. Mark as their teacher. He was not just an educator but a beacon of kindness and understanding in their lives.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
