Transgender teacher case goes to conciliation

[Shana A]

Transgender teacher case goes to conciliation

By Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.comOctober 13, 2009

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Teacher+changed+gender+gains+step/2103870/story.html

EDMONTON - The Alberta Human Rights Commission has accepted a complaint made against a local Catholic school board by a substitute teacher who says he was dismissed from teaching for changing his gender.

"I'm really pleased," said Jan Buterman, who was born a woman but now lives full-time as a man.

In June 2008, after being a substitute teacher in the Greater St. Albert Catholic school division for about four months, he approached the deputy superintendent and told him he was changing his gender from female to male and wished to be identified as Mr. Buterman instead of Mrs. Buterman in the following school year.

[Julie Marie]

The Catholic Church is one of the major contributors in the fight against gay marriage in the US, maybe even #1.  So it's no surprise they discriminate against T's also.  But if you are a pedophile priest, they will keep moving you around until someone finally turns you in.

The CC has paid billions in settlement costs for the pedophile scandal.  Donated untold amounts to fight gay marriage.  And this is a non-profit organization?

Maybe they will settle this case too, in hopes of avoiding another black eye.  But if social acceptance allows it, they may just fight this, regardless of media coverage.

Julie

[r.morgan]

The church has not always been non-profit.  It's still sitting on hordes of cash.  I read somewhere (I'm assuming this is correct) that the largest landlord in Brazil is still the RCC.  Even if they lack morals,  tolerance of any kind or common sense - they have lots of $$$.  And sadly $ is what tends to matter most.

[Julie Marie]

The church has not always been non-profit.  It's still sitting on hordes of cash.  I read somewhere (I'm assuming this is correct) that the largest landlord in Brazil is still the RCC.  Even if they lack morals,  tolerance of any kind or common sense - they have lots of $$$.  And sadly $ is what tends to matter most.

Then tax them until they really are non-profit.

Any non-profit that gets involved in political or civil issues should lose their non-profit status.  They have the monetary clout they have because they don't have the tax burden the rest of us have.  If they want to get into the fray, level the playing filed.

Julie

[Suzy]

Well even among churches they are considered mega wealth.  No wonder most people know their viewpoints and no one else's in the Christian community.

Back to the article.  I have mixed feelings.  I don't usually like to see the government telling the church what to believe or vice versa.  Of course it is obvious what the Catholic Church should do.  If this were a US case it would would not even make it to court.  But in Canada, the Catholics will most likely lose and have to comply.  I imagine this will settle for big bucks out of court.  However, they are also challenging the moneybags.  So this will be quite interesting.

Kristi