Community unites to support Catholic school staff member allegedly fired for same-sex marriage

Margie Winters
Stand with Margie/Facebook

Parents, students and alumni have come together in Montgomery County to support a staff member at a Catholic school who allegedly lost her job because of her same-sex marriage, 6ABC reports.

Margie Winters has worked as the religious education director at Waldron Mercy Academy since 2007, the same year she married her partner. In a message on Facebook this week, the school's principal, Nell Stetser, alluded to Winters' marriage to a woman as a factor.

"The primary consideration that guided my decision-making process was to sustain the Catholic identity of Waldron Mercy Academy," the post said. "For the privilege of calling ourselves Catholic, we adhere to the teachings of the Church." 

More than 100 people gathered at Jack's Firehouse in Fairmount on Wednesday night to show support for Winters.

Organizer Nancy Houston said Winters led the group in prayer.

"Margie spoke, she received a standing ovation of support," Houston told 6ABC. "It was very emotional. Several people share their stories, their stories of Margie and how much we love our community."

No members of the school board were present at Wednesday night's meeting.

Read more from 6ABC.