Regarding "Equality entertainment" by Joe Wertz in the June 23 Gazette:
Although it is easy to recall that in the spring of 2009 I was terminated from my position as teacher in the Oklahoma City Public Schools district, it should neither be forgotten nor ignored that I subsequently filed for and prevailed in a trial de novo at which it was determined by a district court judge that the termination was wrongful and not based so much on my performance as a teacher, as on the personal animus of certain administrators because of my advocacy for stronger language in the district's policies on nondiscrimination, bullying and harassment that would make it abundantly clear that these policies include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
Not only was I reinstated as a teacher within the district, but the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" were added to those policies by a vote of the school board within a few weeks of my reporting back to the classroom.
This was the result of a number of years' work by many people, and for the sake of the students who are now clearly protected the language revision to district policies should not be ignored.
"Joe Quigley
Oklahoma City
