One step forward, one step back… Ken Bencomo, a gay San Bernadino, CA man who teaches at an all girls Catholic high school was fired after his wedding was covered by local news. Bencomo and his husband, Christopher Persky were amongst the very first same-sex couples to get married in San Bernardino county, CA after Prop 8 was repealed and their wedding announcement and marriage were covered in local papers. An outpouring of community well-wishes came for the newlyweds, many from Mr. Bencomo’s students over the years.

Less than two weeks after their big day, Mr. Bencomo was handed his walking papers from his longtime job at St. Lucy’s Priory High School in Glendora, as reported by KCAL, Los Angeles:

School administrators declined to discuss the firing on camera. But they did issue a statement that read, in part, “We respect and protect privacy interests and, to be respectful of those involved, the school does not comment on confidential matters. St. Lucy’s wishes to reassure all in our community that upholding its mission to educate students in the tradition of the Catholic faith is of paramount importance.”

[Ken] Bencomo, 45, had been a teacher at St. Lucy’s for 17 years. He was head of the English department and he coached the dance squad. His attorney says the school knew Bencomo was gay and continued to renew his contract every year — until he got married.

Which is now legal in the state of California. So what’s THIS?

An online petition has been started by former St. Lucy’s student Brittany Littleton demanding that the school reinstate Mr. Bencomo. Over 9000 people have signed as I type this. Ken’s lawyers have said that he hasn’t decided yet what the best outcome could be from this unfortunate event. I say sue the fuckers—he’ll win—and set a legal precedent against this sort of outdated, small-minded bullshit happening again to someone else.

Via Joe.My.God