Gay former principal sues school

The openly gay former principal of Bialik College, Joseph Gerassi, is suing the Melbourne Jewish school for millions of dollars after being sacked under enigmatic circumstances. The Age reports that Gerrassi was told to resign in August last year after the school council “had lost confidence” in him or have his employment terminated within the hour.

In a letter, school council president Graham Goldsmith acknowledged “many of the positive changes” that Gerassi had made but said they had come to an unanimous decision that they had lost confidence in his ability.  He was given nine months pay and ordered not to speak with media, staff and school for nine months but is now seeking compensation for loss of income, distress, humiliation and damage to his reputation.

Gerassi began as a principal in 2009 and was believed to be the first openly gay principal of a Jewish school in Australia.