I'm not going to blame Marian High School. I'm not even going to blame Sister Lenore Pochelski, the school's president. No, after learning about the firing of out-lesbian Charlene Genther, a public safety officer at the Catholic high school in West Bloomfield, it was pretty clear to me where the blame lies. The school is, after all, under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Detroit, not known for being the gay friendliest of institutions.
In case you've been out of the Metro Detroit anti-gay employment discrimination loop, let me fill you in. On Friday, Oct. 13 (yes, that's right: Friday the 13th), after six years on the job as a highly praised public safety officer, Genther was told to scram by Pochelski. Why? Because Genther had just published a book and told the whole wide world she was a lesbian.
So you see, they had to get rid of her. Marian is an all-girls school and, well, you can't have a lesbian hanging around that kind of environment or before you know it every girl in the school is going to be playing rugby and wearing rainbow studs through their tongues.
Or so the Archdiocese of Detroit seems to think. Both the News and the Free Press reported that Genther was told by Pochelski that her lifestyle was incompatible with church teaching shortly after Genther started doing media interviews about her autobiography, "Badge 3483: A True Story," which details her time as one of the first females in the Detroit Police Department in the 1970s.
But this excuse doesn't wash. After all, Genther's sexuality was hardly a secret. Genther's own daughter graduated from Marian in 2001. Genther and her partner of 28 years attended school events and parent teacher conferences. Sister Pochelski even read the book in which Genther "reveals" her lesbian relationship four years ago.
Of Genther, the rogue lesbian she had to get rid of ASAP, Pochelski threw these nasty barbs out in the Free Press: "She was a great employee" and "We're grateful for her generous service."
Snap! Oh no she didn't!
Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of Triangle Foundation, said Genther's firing sends the wrong message to the students at Marian. "It's a horrible lesson to be teaching those girls: that being honest will cost you your job," he said. "It's also hypocritical, because even the church says job discrimination against gays and lesbians is wrong. She was a role model and mentor and they cast her out."
The only thing that changed, of course, is that Genther is no longer Marian's' "open secret." The publication of her book, dare I say, made the Archdiocese of Detroit uncomfortable. It's bad publicity for them. After all, Genther is an example of a hardworking, law abiding, church-going, good citizen. And the Catholic Church doesn't benefit from the public seeing homos like that.
Does this remind anyone else of what's going on in that other gay-bashing organization that tolerates homos so long as they're closeted and toe the anti-gay line?
Creep of the Week: The Archdiocese of Detroit
Read More
Michigan's Trans Migration Project Is Helping to Protect Trans People Just By Getting Them Somewhere Safe
A faith-based collective of partners across Michigan is shepherding out-of-state trans people to Michigan for the gender-affirming care and affirmation they [...]
Go Girl! Saugatuck Celebrates Women’s Weekend at Nation’s Largest Gay Resort
Women hearing the siren call of Lake Michigan may want to mark May 31-June 2 on their calendars. Those are the days that the largest gay resort in the country [...]
Michigan Democratic Party LGBT and Allies Caucus Holds Spring Meeting
One of the most often derided cliches of political journalism is to say “a lot is at stake in this election” but it is quite literally true this [...]
Why So Many Local Queer Folks Are Flocking to Mishpacha, Temple Beth Emeth’s Thriving LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Ari Smith was a little worried when her rabbi called to ask her about something he was noticing in her part of the sanctuary during weekly services at Temple [...]
Why a Local Academic Is Fostering Queer Discussion and Community Through an Old-Fashioned Book Club
Queer books on public library shelves have come under fire across the country in recent years, but you wouldn’t know it at the Ypsilanti District Library [...]
Biden-Harris Campaign Launches LGBTQ+ Voter Initiative at Affirmations — How You Can Get Involved in the 2024 Election
The election season is officially heating up in Michigan, with a special focus on queer voters. On April 10, local and statewide community leaders and elected [...]
