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North Carolina Teacher Sues Catholic School He Says Fired Him For Being Gay

"All of a sudden, I'm not employed anymore."

A North Carolina teacher is suing a Catholic school and the diocese of Charlotte after claiming he was fired for announcing his marriage to another man.

Lonnie Billard says that not only did people know he was gay during his 13 years teaching at Charlotte Catholic, but his partner was even invited to school events by administrative leaders in the past.

But after announcing his marriage to his husband on Facebook in 2014, he suddenly found himself without a job.

"People at school congratulated us and all of that, and then all of a sudden, I'm not employed anymore," Billard told WSOC.

According to the lawsuit, a diocese spokesman stated Billard was dismissed for “going on Facebook, entering into a same-sex relationship, and saying it in a very public way that he does not agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church."

Chris Brook, the ACLU lawyer representing Billard, acknowledged that the case involves a religious group, but clarified his job was a secular post, so his firing should be considered discriminatory.

"Lonnie was the 2012 Teacher of the Year," Brook said. "A remarkable teacher, who was fired because he's gay."

h/t: Towleroad

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