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School To Re-Examine Policy That Led To Dismissal Of Lesbian Teacher

By AJ Trager

Barb Webb (L) and her wife Kristen Lasecki (R) outside Marian High School during a Sunday protest on Sept. 14. They are holding signs that say "If not Now, When?" and "If not today then what happens tomorrow?"


BLOOMFIELD HILLS – The Congregation of Catholics nuns that operate Marian High School have signaled that they will re-examine school policies that led to the firing of Barb Webb, the former Chemistry teacher who says she was let go because of her nontraditional pregnancy.
"Pope Francis has brought a sense of hope to our lives and encourages us to look at our Church with new eyes," Sister Mary Jane Herb, president of Monroe-based Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), said in a letter to alums that was shared by the "I Stand With Barb Webb" Facebook page. "No, it is not likely that doctrine will change, however the Pope emphasizes that the values of mercy, inclusion and compassion need to be included in our response to complex situations."
Webb was not referred to specifically by the letter, however, Herb did say that the IHM leadership council "will work with the Executive Committee of the Marian High School Board to re-examine policies and procedures in light of Catholic identity and IHM values."
Shortly after she approached the Marian School Administration with news of her pregnancy in August, Webb received notice of her dismissal. While the termination letter Webb received did not specify the reason of her dismissal, Webb believes it was previous conversations with administrators that pointed to a morality clause allowing the school to fire over public conduct of "lifestyle or actions directly contradictory to the Catholic faith."
Webb told the Detroit Free Press Sept. 23 that a member of the IHMs reached out to her the previous week and asked her to share details about what happened. When she read Herb's letter, she wasn't entirely surprised.
"When I read it, I was happy," Webb told the Free Press. "I was relieved that someone had responded. To me, it was a response for a positive outlook for change. It just opens the door for a new conversation, and that's what I was hoping for from the beginning. It opens the door for change, and I think that's definitely the first step."
Webb has been married to her wife, Kristen Lasecki, since 2012, and the two are expecting their first child. Since the news broke in late August, Webb has received much support from the community, including previous Marian students as well as a former school board member.
A petition was written to "take a stand against discrimination and show through our actions that we value human diversity and declare that 'We Stand With Barb Webb.'" The petition, as of Sept. 25, has been signed by 67,281 people from around the country with some international signatures.
Jeff Detweiler of Seattle, Wash. wrote on Sept. 25 that Marian should "Join other Catholic schools and churches that are realizing that gay and lesbian people can also be Christian. Revoke your policies that discriminate against them, and be proud of your teachers and students who are gay and lesbian."
"As a Marian alum(na), I am appalled at their decision to fire this teacher. As the mother of a seventh grader currently in Catholic education in Metro Detroit, I fear for her influences surrounding this and will absolutely not be sending her to Marian as I once thought," Laura Mack from Livonia said with her signature on the survey.
Colleen Sullivan of Beaverton, Ore. said "What is this Morality you value that allows you to discard a teacher, a coach and a family as if they were nothing? Tell me of this moral code that promotes sending a message to your students (current, future and past) that some humans are worth less in your eyes. I'd like to know because I want no part in it. I value humans, our diversity and our equality!"
To sign the petition, visit www.change.org or go to the Facebook page "I Stand With Barb Webb."

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