PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — St. Mary’s Academy voted to change their school policy on hiring gays following backlash after they rescinded a job offer to a woman in a same-sex relationship.
On Wednesday night, the school board voted unanimously to include sexual orientation in the school’s equal employment policy.
Following the school board’s decision, St. Mary’s Academy President Christina Friedhoff issued the following statement:“St. Mary’s is a diverse community that welcomes and includes gay and lesbian students, faculty, alumnae, parents and friends, including those that are married. We are proud of our work preparing the next generation of women leaders for service and leadership. We are still deeply committed to our Catholic identity.”
The move came just 24 hours after the school sent a letter to parents and alumni regarding its decision to withdraw an employment offer to Lauren Brown, who has plans to enter a same-sex marriage.
“We recently made the challenging decision to withdraw an offer of employment the school had made to an individual due to a conflict with current Catholic teachings regarding same-sex marriage,” St. Mary’s President Christina Friedhoff said in the letter.
On Wednesday students told KOIN 6 News the school had sent mixed messages regarding acceptance towards others.
“St. Mary’s has taught me the number one Catholic value is always love,” sophomore Maria Gray said. “I think we should all be loving our neighbors and I think we should be respecting one another, whatever we can to uphold what we think is right.”
In a statement provided to KOIN 6 News, a St. Mary’s Academy spokesperson said Brown would not be given the position she was previously hired for.“In preparation for school, which starts on Monday, we offered another candidate the position. We will be reaching out to Ms. Brown and Ms. Brown’s attorney and are open to further discussions with her about reconciliation.”