Gay teacher claims he was fired for 'not living a Catholic lifestyle': report

A Long Island teacher says he was fired from his job at a Catholic school for being gay.

Michael Califano, a third-grade teacher at Maria Regina School in Seaford, said he was told by school administrators that he had violated guidelines about “living a Catholic lifestyle," reported News 12.

Califano said he believes someone sent photos of him with his boyfriend to diocese officials and the situation then "escalated" from there, but many parents and other community members have rallied around him in hopes of getting him back in the classroom.

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Parents are planning a rally for Friday at St. Agnes Cathedral, and Califano said he plans on going to church as usual this weekend and would return to the classroom right away if allowed.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Rockville Centre told the TV station they did not comment on personnel matters.