Schools

Online Petition: 'Dr. Hudson, we support you'

Change.org statement, including vow not to donate to Totino-Grace High School, drew 100 signatures overnight.

An online petition in support of William Hudson, who resigned as president at Totino-Grace High School, attracted 100 signatures overnight. 

Hudson said he is in a same-sex relationship.
(Editor's Note: Do you think Hudson did the right thing in resigning as president of the school? Or was there something else he could have done? Tell us what you think by clicking the "comment" button at the end of this post leave us your thoughts.)

Included in the petition statement is pledge to no longer make donations to the private Catholic school in Fridley. 

An excerpt from the petition text at Change.org:

...But, like you, many of us no longer feel welcomed within the Totino-Grace Community.  We do not feel we can offer our financial support to the place that helped shaped who we are.  A community that depends on our support to thrive and to continue to provide a quality learning environment for its’ students.

It is true that Totino-Grace, as a Catholic High School and member of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis, must uphold the tenets of the Catholic Church.  We recognize that the school must ask its faculty and administration to uphold the standards demanded by the Catholic Faith.  

But for many of us, this goes against the welcoming community we experienced at Totino-Grace.  And no matter where we are in our faith journey, it reminds us of the disconnect between the Church’s stance on homosexuality and Jesus’ teachings.  Today’s news is simply jarring; not to mention disappointing, saddening, infuriating and exasperating (especially considering Totino-Grace’s recent refusal to support anti-bullying legislation due to its LGBT-inclusive language).

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Dr. Hudson, wherever you are, know that we support you.  We cannot know the reasons behind your decision, but we thank you for your many years of service to the Totino-Grace community and wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Dr. Hudson and students of the Totino-Grace community who identify as LGBTQ or as Allies, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.  We cannot know when the Church or the Totino-Grace Administration will revise their policies and choose to include us in their community, but we want you to know that you are a part of OUR community – one that embraces love, equality, and acceptance.  We are you – and you live, in our hearts, forever.

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