Thread by @WIndermaur

TW: anti-#LGBTQIA+ discrimination, religious trauma
Thursday evening, I received a phone call that left me completely devastated. Come August 2022, I was planning on working with an incredible family whose child is a student at @ImmaculataNC in #Durham, North Carolina.

2/n My role was to be an in-class aid for this student during school hours, assisting her and advocating for her in all necessary capacities. Everything was set to go. Paperwork had been filled out for the contracted company I would provide my services through.

3/n a background check had been run, etc. I was very excited, both as an #educator and as a #Catholic, for this opportunity. This position would also allow me to continue to care for the wonderful children that I currently nanny, in a new capacity, who are affiliated with ICS.

4/n I was overjoyed. I had multiple conversations with other parents of students at the school, and teaching staff, about this new role. I was nervous about being accepted, initially, but everything seemed to be falling into place. Thursday night this opportunity was taken away.

5/n This week, without my knowledge, a meeting was held between the clerical staff of @ICDurham & the administrative staff at ICS, where it was declared by the priest that, because I am #transgender, I am not allowed to work on the campus of Immaculata.

6/n Because I am transgender, my presence is not welcomed, nor allowed, in the classrooms of Immaculata. Because I am transgender, the parish and school have decided that a child’s needs in the classroom are not a priority.

7/n Because I am transgender, the parish and school have determined that the decision as to who should care for and help a child is not up to the parents of that child. Until Thursday night, I thought myself a part of the Immaculata community.

8/n I often attended mass at Immaculate Conception prior to the covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, I took part in virtual masses. I nanny three amazing children, 2 are currently students at the school and 1 will be this Fall.

9/n I taught them about feast days, passed down traditions that my Oma gave me, taught them about my favorite saints, and I helped them with their religion homework. I’ve attended First Communions here. I was present at many of the school’s Friday Morning Prayer services.

10/n I walked up to the school every weekday for school pick up, talking with teaching staff and other parents. I thought I belonged here. I could not have been more wrong.

11/n Ironically, on this day two years ago, I shared a Facebook post from the @RaleighDiocese . It was a quote by @Pontifex , stating: “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

12/n Well, @ICDurham & @ImmaculataNC , you have not turned a blind eye to exclusion, you enacted it. My heart is completely broken and my faith is utterly shaken. I do not know what to do now, but I do know that I will not stand by and be silent.

13/n Think of the message you are sending, not only to people like me, but to the children entrusted in your care. Are you willing to stand up in front of your student body, their families, and the parishioners and explain, in detail, why I am not allowed in?

14/n If you are willing to discriminate, then I ask you to do it transparently. Let the community you serve know exactly what it is you stand for. @ICDurham @ImmaculataNC

15/n If you want to take an actionable step to defending the LGBTQIA+ Community this Pride Month, I encourage you to contact the church & school staff. Thank you.
Father Jacek Orzechowski, OFM (Pastor of Immaculate Conception): [e-mail]
919-682-3449

16/n Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parish office:
[e-mail]
919-682-3499
Immaculata Catholic School:
919-682-5847
[e-mail]

17/n The day this decision was made, @ICDurham shared this post on Facebook, Instagram, & in a newsletter. It has since been deleted on FB & comments disabled on Instagram. How is this #Pride?