OPINION: Christian school sets dangerous precedent

Sharon Wright’s son came out via an online social media blog nearly three years ago, and ever since then, his Christian-affiliated school has been making nothing but trouble… for both of them.

Apparently, it’s no longer enough for some religious institutions to condemn their homosexual youths as sinners, it is now grounds for expulsion and removal of all involved. But there’s no reason to worry; this Harrisburg mother and teacher is busy making sure we never have to hear about something like this again.

Wright had been teaching full-time at Covenant Christian Academy since 2002 so you’d think she might have had an easier time convincing her school board to let her son finish his final year there. However, when she appealed to them, blame was put on her as well. They told her that it was her job to “fix” her son who was, in their words, “broken.” They went on to say that his soul was at stake and that he “may have been abused as a child” and “didn’t bond with [his father].” She, being an amazing, supportive mother, took all the tedious steps of sending her son through psychiatric and pediatric review. The doctors’ verdicts? His sexual orientation is pre-determined, and the school making him “renounce his sin” could be potentially harmful.

What a shocker.

Ms. Wright kept on sticking by her son and the school simply wouldn’t budge. Naturally, this all took a toll on her. But when she told the school she needed some time to take care of her adjustment disorder, anxiety and depression during the school year, they told her not to bother coming back. And this was after they clearly stated that her employment should not be affected. So here comes the legal system, hopefully, to her side. Wright is using claims under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Pennsylvania Human Rights Act, and the Human Relations Act to fight against her unlawful dismissal (which we all understand is definitely related to her support of her son’s sexual orientation, rather than her disabilities). She is currently being represented by Solomon Krevsky of the Clark & Krevsky firm from Lemoyne, Pa.

Pennsylvania students shouldn’t have to limit their options when it comes to their education. If Wright’s school gets away with this, it could trigger a chain reaction of other private institutions to commit similar heinous actions against LGBTQ students, faculty, and, as in this case, anyone even associated with them. This is hitting home turf and that’s not okay. Whatever happened to schools being places for nurturing and growth? Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Wright v. Covenant Christian Academy case wins in Sharon’s favor.

This post was written by Danielle Hernandez, a student at Gettysburg College.

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