Gay Dean Marries Wife, Gets Canned

An athletic director at a high school in Springfield, Mass. says she was pressured to leave her position because she married her wife last month.

Christine Judd, dean of students and athletic director for Cathedral High School, stepped down after meeting with school administrators on Wednesday, according to The Republican newspaper.

Judd worked for the school for 12 years, where she rose from science teacher to dean of students and, three years ago, athletic director. While the state has allowed gay people to marry since 2004, same-sex marriage is still not sanctioned by the Catholic Church.

"Cathedral had nothing to do with this," she said in the article. "This was a diocesan decision. In the end, the timing of this issue really affects the kids. That is where it has the most effect."

The school's website describes the former athletic director and dean as "one of the key members of the faculty and staff."

"I'm hurt, but I wish nothing but the best for Cathedral, its students, the parents, the athletic teams, administration and faculty," she said in the article. "I bleed purple [the school's color]."