Supporters of school principal say he's out of job because he's gay
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GRESHAM, Ore. – An elementary school principal, Tom Klansnic, has been part of the Gresham Barlow School District for nearly a decade.
Now, the district is not renewing his contract without giving a reason why. Many think it’s because he’s openly gay.
Denise McCloud is among the parents standing up for Klansnic to find out why his contract is not being renewed. She’s leading a group of parents to attend Thursday night’s district board meeting to find answers.
“You know that’s what we’re trying to teach them. That we all stand up together,” she said. “That we all need to be looking out for each other. That we have each other’s back.”
Klansnic himself has been seeking answers from the school district since 2010. His attorney has filed legal documents with the district indicating that Klansnic is considering filing a lawsuit.
Klansnic’s attorney, Judy Snyder, said she believes the district is discriminating against her client because of his sexual orientation.
“Mr. Klansnic went through a divorce and he revealed openly that he was gay. And his relationship with the district changed almost immediately.”
During a Thursday night school board meeting, about a dozen parents and a couple students wore bright pink t-shirts to show their support for Klansnic. Those t-shirts were from the anti-bullying campaign Klansnic started at the school.
He was not at the meeting, but in a text message to a reporter he wrote, in part, "I am lucky to have a career that I love so much. It is a DREAM JOB! The teachers, kids, and parents at NORTH GRESHAM GRADE SCHOOL are an awesome group of people."
His attorney has filed legal documents with the district that outline specific incidents and highlight the fact that he is considering a lawsuit to "recover damages for emotional distress as well as attorney's fees."
Contacted about the allegations, officials with the Gresham Barlow School District said they do not comment on personnel matters.
KATU News reporter Emily Sinovic contributed to this report.
Ever notice the liberaldefinition of hate? Â Hate: Â A projection by the loser on any winner of a debate with a liberal. Sowhen logic fails or abreak needed togoogle msnbc talkingpoints, throwout the hate card, or the race card or both.
@Ramona Oh, and I'm not sure if you're calling me liberal or not. I'll assume you are. Prepare to have your mind blown. I'm not a liberal. While I may lean liberal on social issues, that doesn't make me a liberal. I'm conservative in other areas. It's not as simple as republican=conservative and democrat=liberal.
@Morticae @Ramona "Prepare to have your mind blown." Consider mine blown. I don't know though Morticae seems like a conservative name.
@Morticae @TreeWizard @Ramona We are pretty similar in beliefs.
@TreeWizard @Morticae @Ramona Socially, I support capital punishment. Love guns. Like the idea of small government. Like less taxes and spending. I'm fairly conservative. But I do support social freedoms, which puts me up fighting against religion most of the time.
@Morticae @Ramona Do you think I hate the gays?
@Morticae @TreeWizard @Ramona Probably a smart choice. Lie detectors don't work on my mind. I can actually determine if a lie detector is lying.Â
@TreeWizard @Morticae @Ramona I'm hesitant of delving into your mind, for fear of not finding my way back out.
@Ramona So, are you going to own up and admit your dislike toward gays, or will you continue to pretend otherwise? I appreciate honest people, even if I disagree with them.
@RamonaÂ
Some people equate disapproval with hate (not meaning Morticae) but some.. Thing is, I disprove of things my kids do ALL the time, I even have to discipline them but that doesn't mean I hate them.
I teach my sons what I feel is right because I love them. I don't equate love with total acceptance. I can feel my child is wrong or making a big mistake and still love them. <3
@cwpholder @Ramona They are blessed with a loving mom.  There is no more important job on earth.  Speaking the truth in love to those God has entrusted you with.  I salute you CWP. Â
@Ramona @cwpholderÂ
Awww <3 Thank you so much. That was very kind..Â
May God Bless you and yours sister!Â
It's pretty easy to find out who hates gays on this forum. Just look at the likes. You can make an irrational gay bashing post and get likes from the same group of people. Or you can make a rational and level-headed post, and those same people wont bother with it because it isn't discriminatory enough. The funny thing is, many of those same people wont actually admit their hatred since they fear being exposed as a bigot or discriminator. I wonder if it ever gets tiring being two faced. Probably not, right? Anyway... good luck to this guy. If he can prove his case, then he deserves to win. If there are other reasons behind his non-renewal, I'm sure they'll come to light either publicly or privately now that the story is out.
@Morticae Just because we "like" a comment doesn't mean we agree with everything said. We also may "like" a comment to spite someone. I do that last one. I do like your style though.
@TreeWizard @Morticae Not really, I've noticed that you like to stay unpredictable. You might unlike it soon enough! Who knows.
@TreeWizard @cwpholder It's a bittersweet avatar for me, but maybe I'll leave it up for a day or two.  I'm gonna remove a couple of my comments right above here -- they're all drivel.Â
@Sundowner @cwpholder @TreeWizard It's like it is looking into my soul.
@Sundowner @cwpholder @TreeWizardÂ
Ok I was a bit mistaken.. It shows for all the new posts and new "likes" but the Sunset still shows for the ones made before the avatar change.Â
It's gorgeous.. The sunset is quite pretty too. Both are good choices.. :)
@Sundowner @TreeWizard I love silver fox. They are so majestic.
@TreeWizard Sly...who, me?  I used to have an avatar that was a cute baby silver fox with big blue eyes.  Maybe sometime I'll drag it out.
@Sundowner @TreeWizard @Morticae Always a sly fox Sundowner. That did make me laugh.
@TreeWizard @Morticae Now, be nice to yourself because what you said isn't saying much.  Sarah Palin ain't got crap on anyone.
@Morticae @TreeWizard That's true, I am a maverick. Sarah Palin ain't got crap on me.
Might be because he showed up to school wearing abra under his shirt and a skirt with matching pumps
Still live in the 1950's much?
I think everyone that is gay should keep it a secret
@stinger139Â You have no problem flaunting your stupidity, and I find that offensive.
@stinger139Â Welcome to Oregon, everybody.
He has no case, unless he can proove that they specifically said your out because you are GAY.
I knew a school principal in Yahats that was also GAY, except he kept it secret. He tried a move on me so that's how I found out about him. How many are keeping their mouths shut regarding this one?
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@feral it's a doug eat doug world.
@feral It should be illegal to not hire a gay principle. All principles should be gay.
@feral Ooops, I meant principal*.
Just out of curiosity, how many other principals in Oregon are not having their contracts renewed this year?
Considering how little money these districts say they have, could it be that they are opting for cheaper contracts?
And IF this nice man wasn't gay, would anyone care that his contract isn't being renewed?
@Owt_RagedÂ
That's what I posted below.. If he were straight & his contract not renewed this wouldn't even be a story. Â Nobody would care.
@cwpholder Well let's challenge KATU. How many other principals in Oregon did not get their contracts renewed, KATU? Let's be at least somewhat impartial about our reporting and bring in information that a news agency should be able to get.
OK KATU Staff:
Gun story....Check
Gay story....Check
Pot story....Check
Religion story.....it's coming ;).
@trololol I just go out of construction trafic, I said Jesus Christ 2 times, and Oh my God once does that count as a religion story
@trololol ROFLMAO!
At the very least, it cannot be said that livefyre does not know how to increase it's revenue stream.Â
I had made a comment last week about the fellow with the pink poodle getting beat up when he paraded around in public. Gays and their supporters can jump up and down and scream all they want, but there are always going to be people that aren't going to accept this being a public thing, because its not natural.Â
I know Tom personally, and can vouch for what an excellent educator he is, as he taught 2 of my sons in school, but that doesn't change human reactions.
@Tellitlikeitizz  What basis are you using to argue that homosexuality is "not natural?" Religion? The Bible? Reproduction? Â
@EdgarDerby @Tellitlikeitizz I hope you're not so deluded as to think that it is actually normal? If it was, there would be no life on earth. Did that ever occur to you?Â
@EdgarDerby I'm throwing a tantrum? Boy, if that isn't calling the kettle black. All I said is being gay is abnormal. And, it is. Anything different from the norm is abnormal. Talk about a brick wall, you're so bent on arguing and mane calling while trying to convince me otherwise is ridiculous, and embarrassing. Your mother did good raising such an unrealistic idiot.
@Tellitlikeitizz @EdgarDerby  Thanks for another childish tantrum response further perpetuating your stupidity and not addressing any of my points above.  Your claim is that gay people can't reproduce together (fact) and therefore, they cannot and would've not contributed to the future generations (strawman).  That's what sterility means.  If you're going to be ignorant, at least defend your ignorance.  Or just throw another tantrum.  Your choice.Â
And don't put words in my mouth. Â Nowhere have I implied that "2 gays can reproduce together." Â If you learned how to read, you'd see that I clearly state the opposite: "being homosexual is genetically illogical, since a child can't have both parents' genes." Â You clearly have no idea how & why your conclusions are irrational. Â I think staring at a brick wall would be a more productive use of my time than trying to help you understand the obtuseness of your thought process. Â
@EdgarDerby You made this personal long ago, fool, and are pretty brave writing your BS on here. You can stomp around all day crowing that being gay is normal, but only your type will agree with you. I've never claimed that  gays are sterile, but it is a fact that 2 gays can't reproduce together. I suppose you have some facts to say otherwise? If not, STFU.
@TellitlikeitizzOh boy, so apparently I'm gay now?  You're just full of logical fallacies; not very bright, are ya?  I'm not arguing for gays here.  I'm arguing against your idiot troll logic.
Rough estimates indicate that 2500 years ago, there were 162 mil people on Earth. Â 4-10 mil people 12000 years ago. Â Even if half those people were gay, what's the other 80 million doing? Â Just laying around refusing to reproduce? Â Being homosexual is genetically illogical, since a child can't have both parents' genes, but to claim that gays are pretty much sterile (which is exactly what you continue to imply) is so hilariously pathetically stupid. Â Cover up bro, your ignorance is everywhere.
@TreeWizard @cwpholderÂ
OMGosh! It's a good thing it's not morning or I would've sprayed my laptop with coffee.. ROFL
@cwpholder @TreeWizard I would hope it lasts forever, but I am suspicious. I am thinking about switching to Brut, so when I walk in a room women get pregnant, like they say in the commercials. I don't think I could afford the Child Support though.
@TreeWizardÂ
LOL That made me giggle! I like Old Spice.. It lasts forever doesn't it? Like Twinkies.. The only thing that will survive a nuclear bomb, Twinkies & cockroaches.. And Old Spice..Â
@cwpholder @TreeWizard @Tellitlikeitizz That's pretty sexy. I smell like expired old spice.
@TreeWizard @TellitlikeitizzÂ
LOL
I always smell like cookies.. I wear vanilla cologne (I can't stand the floral stuff) Â anyway, Â when I enter a room people say "I smell cookies" or cake etc.. LOL
I taught a class for highly capable kids at the primary school and they always thought I had brought treats.. I finally had to start bringing goodies because I kept disappointing them so often with that perfume. :PÂ
@TreeWizard @Tellitlikeitizz lol
@Tellitlikeitizz I like women. They smell nice.
@EdgarDerby The odds would favor you these days since there are so many humans are earth, that people would survive for awhile. However, if the majority of humans were gay 2500 years ago, there would be none on earth nowadays. Didn't say you were sterile, Edgar, but if you think humanity would have advanced by you BF'ing your boyfriend, or your lezzie friends making babies by using a strap-on on their GF's, you're sadly mistaken. Try to make yourself feel normal with your ridiculous argument. By the way, I'm not against gay, and Tom is a friend of mine.
@Tellitlikeitizz @EdgarDerby  Thanks for pointing out that gays are all sterile. How do you think they're born in the first place? Even if 90%% of the world was gay (which would then meet your apparent dictionary definition of "normal/natural"), there would continue to be life, moron. Â
@Morticae @Tellitlikeitizz @EdgarDerby "Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected." that is the definition of normal. Yeah, I would say homosexuality right or wrong is pretty abbynormal.
@Tellitlikeitizz @EdgarDerby So, you feel something must encompass all of humanity in order to be considered normal or natural? That's pretty deluded thinking right there!
Just because someone's reaction to jump up and down and scream at what they don't like, doesn't make it right. And I say that goes for both sides of any equation.