Lawsuit: Football Coach Fired for Being Gay

A high school football coach in California says he was fired from his job for being gay, the Contra Costa Times reports.

Varsity football coach Burke Wallace filed a suit against the Livermore Valley Charter Prep High School, alleging that he was subjected to harassment and discrimination after he casually told colleagues that he was married to a man. Wallace's attorney, John Furstenthal, said some parents and administrators did not want him to continue coaching the team once they found out about his sexual orientation. According to the lawsuit, filed in the Alameda County Superior Court, Wallace's supervisors said it was a "bad idea" to have a gay football coach.

After being fired from the coaching position, Wallace said, he was essentially forced to leave his teaching job at the school due to harassment and stress.

"They may try to come up with all these different excuses, but I don't think they'll hold water in court," Furstenthal said.

Wallace is suing for an undetermined amount in lost wages and fees.