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March 29, 2006

Gymnastics coach fired over gay porn past

A tumbling coach who worked with cheerleaders at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese, Ill., has been barred from the campus because principal Dennis Litteken learned the 22-year-old gymnast had starred in gay porn videos. Josh Weast of O'Fallon was not a school employee, but for the past three years he had been allowed to use the Mater Dei gym to coach a group of about 40 girls and boys.

Weast said Monday he regretted making the videos, adding that he made them about a year ago at a time when he needed the money badly. Still, he said his private life should have no effect on his coaching activities.

Commenting on the case, the executive director of a well-known Illinois gay rights group said private religious schools have a legal right to enforce their own values as long as federal antidiscrimination laws are not violated. (AP)

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