Democratic Lawmaker Seeks to Stop Funding Discrimination
An Indianapolis Catholic school is under fire after it suspended an employee of 15 years for being in a same-sex relationship for over two decades. The school is defending its move by claiming her relationship is a matter of “personal conduct” as well as a contractual issue.
Meanwhile, alumni and locals, as well as people across the nation are speaking out in anger and dismay after Roncalli High School placed school guidance counselor Shelly Fitzgerald on paid administrative leave while it determines if it can or will fire her.
The outrage appears to have grown after The Indy Star reported that Roncalli has taken $6.5 million in taxpayer funds over just the past 5 years, via a state school voucher program – yet isn’t required to follow any laws banning discrimination. Indiana’s laws do not require recipients of state funds to follow anti-discrimination policies.
(Separately, the Trump administration last Friday issued a directive allowing federal contractors to effectively ignore policies that ban anti-LGBT discrimination.)
School and Church officials responded to the outrage in a Facebook post, which only served to increase anger – and animosity within the community. By Wednesday the school shut down its Facebook page.
Meanwhile, one state lawmaker is responding to the loophole by drafting legislation to ensure organizations that accept state funding via the school voucher program don’t discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The actions of Roncalli High School have unfolded in a manner that is contrary to the ideals I learned during my time there,” State Democratic Rep. Dan Forestal tells WTHR.