CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- This story has been updated.
A lacrosse coach, whose hiring was reversed by west suburban Catholic school allegedly because she’s a married lesbian, is now represented by a lawyer.
Amanda Kammes had been hired as a lacrosse coach by Benet Academy in Lisle, that is until supporters said the school saw that she had listed her wife as an emergency contact. Her mother told WBBM Newsradio Kammes has a lawyer and does not wish to comment publicly right now.
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Kammes has lots of support from students, parents, and Benet alumni. The school’s assistant lacrosse coach Colleen Suvell told CBS 2, "I want the girls and the students at Benet to know that this is not okay. This is not the example we should be setting for the students here."
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Benet Academy said in a statement “Benet Academy respects the dignity of all human beings to follow their conscience and to live lives of their choosing. Likewise, as a Catholic school, we employ individuals whose lives manifest the essential teachings of the Church in order to provide the education and faith formation of the young people entrusted to our care.”
Benet alum Tim Jacklich told CBS 2 more than 2,000 fellow alumni, along with parents and students, have signed a letter urging Benet to reverse its decision.
"In fact, they feel quite strongly that, this contradicts the character of this institution that we all had kind of come to love and support," he said.
Amanda Kammes is a graduate of Benet Academy. She previously coached lacrosse in Pennsylvania, leading a team to two state titles; and most recently coached at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, while also running the Lakeshore Lacrosse program in the Chicago area.
Benet Academy’s own mission statement states in part that Benet wants graduating seniors to leave the academy "having developed an attitude of compassion, justice, and respect for all people, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, religion, talent, ability, or socio-economic status."
The high school has reversed itself and offered a coaching job to a woman who had been initially turned down when the school learned she was married to another woman.
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