Cape Coral woman banned from teaching

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Cape Coral woman banned from teaching
35
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 1:44pm
after marrying partner

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=33214

By Associated Press

Thursday, June 24, 2004

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A 62-year-old Cape Coral woman who married her lesbian partner in Massachusetts was banned from teaching in the Christian Science church after she refused to ``repent'' for her actions.



Kathleen Clementson returned her teaching credentials and left the church. Her former students are now considered by the Christian Science board of directors to have had no primary instruction.



Clementson married Suzanne Nightingale, 49, on a Cape Cod beach on May 20, before Massachusetts began enforcing a ban on gay marriages by out-of-state couples. The women have since bought a town house in that state, and said they plan to move there.



An Associated Press photo taken at the service was sent to newspapers around the world, and many people recognized Clementson's name in connection with the church, she said.



The church sent Clementson a letter in early June saying she had abused her role as a teacher, but did not define the abuse. The letter directed her to cut ties with former students, and said she could teach again only if she repented and served a three-year probation.



``They were not specific,'' Clementson said. ``I don't feel I have anything to repent for more than anyone else.''



The Boston-based church said Thursday it was preparing a statement about the incident which it planned to release by the end of the day. A local governing board member said the Christian Science Church of Cape Coral will abide by the Mother Church's decision.



Clementson's former students who are now church-approved practitioners can no longer advertise their services in the Christian Science Journal, or take annual refresher courses.



But few people will be seriously affected by the board's decision, Clementson said.



A former student, Hal Gimlin, of North Carolina, said he will maintain his relationship with Clementson - and the church.



``I love my religion,'' he said. ``I'm not thrilled with what is going on. I think they overdid it.''





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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 1:48pm
I am absolutely outraged about this!

"Her former students are now considered by the Christian Science board of directors to have had no primary instruction."

"The church sent Clementson a letter in early June saying she had abused her role as a teacher, but did not define the abuse. The letter directed her to cut ties with former students, and said she could teach again only if she repented and served a three-year probation."

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 1:54pm

I think that this is a HUGE shame !!!

"Kitty Cat Rules"
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 2:03pm
You are welcome. I can't believe in the 21st century someone can lose their job over who their partner is. Totally sickening... I've a friend that teaches at a Catholic school in Louisiana... she definitely fears what could happen.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 2:14pm
Yes, it’s outrageous. But the church has the right to fire her in practicing their belief. Most religion teaches homosexuality as a sin. I haven’t heard one religion coming out in protection of/ support of us. I’m not surprise.

I’m glad to have Ms. Clementon and Ms Nightingale as MASS residents! Good for her to walk away from a church that won’t accept her. Why support them with her skills, talents, knowledge and money? I’m just sorry that student of hers won’t do the same since he thinks an injustice was done to Ms Clementon.

I believe in letting them (the churches) live the way the want, I just wish they would let me live the way I want by not punishing the politicians by withholding communion because they are willing to pass laws to protect me! I wish they remember the separation of Church and States. Isn’t it convenient how they remember that only when it comes to being tax-free organization?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 2:27pm
I've friends who are Jewish, and there are many rabbis that are fine with lgbt people. My niece has been trying to get me to go to her church, which is supportive, but I'm no longer Christian, it won't work for me.

I agree that they have a right to their beliefs, but it gets touchy when it involves employment... the Catholic church is thinking on firing anyone it employs that marries another of the same sex, and that is very slippery ground.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:25pm

Ya know what blows my tiny little mind Raye?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:36pm
Same here...

Dare I say we've had a nice little discussion going on um... elsewhere on iV about parents who toss gay children from their homes? Do I see Pam and Courtney running the other way, very fast? ;-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:51pm

Please just don't tell me that they are condoning this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:56pm
One was... and several others shot her arguments down...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 11:05pm

Well, that's good to hear.

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