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Irish Schools Still Discriminate against LGB Teachers

Come out as a gay. lesbian or bisexual teacher in Ireland and you can still face the sack, according to a report in The Montreal Gazette. Irish schools can waive European legislation outlawing discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation on the grounds of their religious ethos, so gay and lesbian staff who are open can still lose their jobs for “undermining religious standards”.
Teachers fear coming out and some ex-teachers have left the profession on order to be open about their sexual orientation, according to the report.
Although the increasing “Europeanisation” of Ireland has brought rapid change and the priests’ abuse scandals have shattered clerical authority, the Roman Catholic Church is still said to hold a firm grip on schools’ doctrines. To read the report go here.