Gay teacher sacked by US school after applying for marriage licence

A gay teacher at a Catholic high school in Philadelphia has been sacked after applying for a licence to marry his partner of 12 years.

Michael Griffin, of New Jersey, which became the 14th US state to recognise same-sex marriage in October, was dismissed from Holy Ghost Preparatory School after headmaster Father James McCloskey said obtaining the licence breached his contract because staff were required to follow church teachings.

Mr Griffin, who graduated from the school and has taught French and Spanish there for 12 years, said his relationship was not a secret and his partner had even been to Mr McCloskey’s house.