The Archdiocese of Chicago has rejected a request for mediation in the case of Colin Collette, an Inverness church music director, who, in 2014, was allegedly fired after he announced that he was marrying his same-sex partner.
The archdiocese turned down the request for mediation just as another music director said that he too was fired by his Calumet City parish for being gay, according to statements from the firm that is representing both plaintiffs.
The archdiocese had previously agreed to accept mediation in the Collette case, but it has since obtained new legal representation in the matter. Those new attorneys notified the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Collette's lawyers on Nov. 12 that they were no longer open to mediation. Collette filed complaints with the EEOC and the Cook County Human Rights Commission late last year.
"Naturally Colin is disappointed that the Archdiocese is unwilling to commit to working together to find a resolution to his case," said attorney Kerry Lavelle of Palatine-based Lavelle Law, Ltd. "It has been a year since we filed with the EEOC and we will now await their finding in the matter."
Similar charges were raised in another case, this one at Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Calumet City. That church's former musical director, Sandor Demkovich, alleges that he too was fired for marrying someone of the same sex. Demkovich filed his complaint with the EEOC and Cook County Human Rights Commission earlier in the year, but it was publicly announced Nov. 12.
Demkovich maintains that Pastor Reverend Jacek Dada was supportive of his relationship and had even encouraged him to get married to his partner. Other parish members were equally supportive. But in September, 2014, Demkovich was asked to resign, then was fired when he refused to do so. According to the complaint, Dada allegedly told another person that Demkovich was fired for having a "fag" wedding.
Demkovich also alleges that Dada harassed him about his weight and made derogatory racial comments.
"We once again see a pattern of acceptance and inclusion by the parish pastor, and the parish congregation in general, of an openly gay qualified employee suddenly reversed as soon as he enters into a legal marriage," said Lavelle. "There is simply no other reason that Mr. Demkovich was fired other than he exercised his right to marry his partner. Other heterosexual couples working for the Archdiocese that are part of 'non-sacramental' marriages have not been similarly terminated. We will challenge the Archdiocese as vigorously as we can."