Lauren Brown on St. Mary's Academy Policy Change: "Together We Really Can Move Mountains."

ST. ELSEWHERE: Lauren Brown says St. Mary's Academy withdrew her contract after learning she has a girlfriend. "It hurts a lot," she says, "to be told, 'We will offer you your full year's salary for you to not do your job.'"
By AARON MESH

Lauren Brown, the woman fired by St. Mary's Academy after officials learned she's gay, says the school's decision to hire openly LGBT employees has left her "overjoyed."

"The students, parents, and alumni of St. Mary's Academy should be so proud today," Brown says. "This success shows that together we really can move mountains."

St. Mary's announced Wednesday night it would reverse its policy, which has long forced its gay faculty and staff to remain in the closet if they wanted to keep their jobs.

The decision followed WW's story about how St. Mary's withdrew Brown's contract offer after she told top school officials she's gay. 

Brown has not been offered her job back—because the school already gave it to someone else. But St. Mary's principal Christina Friedhoff says the school wants to offer "reconciliation" to Brown.

In her statement, Brown says she's humbled by the wave of support from students, parents and alumni.

Here's her full statement:

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.