Solidarity: A Gift of LGBTQIA2S+ and Non-LGBTQIA2S+ People in Times of Strife and Moments of Injustice

I’m one who has lived through the experience of losing more than one job or position simply because I’m an out gay man. It is a humbling experience, knowing that I lost a job or three or four not because of my intellectual abilities, my ability to fulfill the job requirements, putting in the the “extra” work and going the “extra mile,” or any other job performance issues. I’m a very conscientious worker. But, because I am gay, I have been shuffling around jobs for a long time, usually creating jobs where there were none before.

At the time of being refused tenure, or a contract coming to a surprising end, or a vote that fell one vote short for a full-time church position--all because I’m gay--it is a time in which one knows one’s true friends, and those who we thought were friends were simply not there. They were not friends after all. Those who stood with me were in solidarity with me, and saw the injustice that was in action as I lost positions and jobs.

Solidarity is defined as unity of agreement, of feeling, or actions, especially among individuals with a common interest, and mutual support within a group (dictionary.com). 

Those of us who have been the one’s whose job was terminated, contract suddenly ended, and tenure denied, look around after the dust has settled and tried to figure out what the heck just happened. It is then that we need our partners, spouses, children, family members (extended and immediate), as well as chosen-family members, and associates. I’ve always been amazed as to who stayed around and who left quickly, with all communication cut-off. All because I’m out and gay.

That’s why I was drawn to this story by Christopher Wiggins of advocate.com, “Parents Raise Thousands for Catholic Teacher Fired Because She’s Gay.” Teacher Maggie Barton, who taught in a Catholic school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Denver, was fires when a photo of her kissing another woman was turned over to the Diocese in January 2023. An investigation was completed, and she was fired the next day. She was fired because she was acting in a way that was inconsistent with Catholic polity. 

What I liked about the story was this. The parents turned out and started a GoFundMe.com page for Maggie, to help her as she was looking for a new job. They suggested people turn in $1. They wrote that they were “hope to help bridge the gap till Ms. Barton finds the next step in her career.” So far, they have raised more than $23,000.

Here’s a link to the story: https://www.advocate.com/religion/parents-fundraise-catholic-gay-teacher

Wow. I have had some individuals who “supported” me from one of my latest “letting go” experiences, sending me money to help make ends meet as there was no severance package in any of these positions. But I have never enjoyed the humbling support of a community of parents, let alone former-work partners, staff, faculty, or churches, raising funds until I could get the next position, which I always found. The parents of children that Ms. Barton educated were in solidarity with Ms. Barton, and showed who what truly is the body of Christ in action.

I envy Ms. Barton.

In blazing new trails, as I have done and Ms. Barton is doing, we do need the support of a community, of the body of Christ. We are not meant to do this trail-blazing work along, but two by two, in solidarity with one another. In community with one another. As a community, together, forward, one step at a time.

May it be so.