May 15 Smeaton, Sask. Donald Jones […]

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1979-05-15

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May 15 Smeaton, Sask. Donald Jones, a former principal, was fired from his teaching position at an elementary school. Jones had been working at the school for four years without incident when he was accused of engaging in homosexual activity in private. Jones admitted that he had homosexual relations with two men with their consent. The Nipawin District School Board tried for six weeks to persuade Jones to resign. When he refused, they dismissed him on the grounds of immoral behaviour, alleged mental instability, and unprofessional conduct. Jones and his lawyer demanded that the Saskatchewan Minister of Education constitute a Board of Reference under the Education Act to investigate the firing and rule on its legality. The SGCC established the Fight Back Defence Fund to help pay for legal costs, and also circulated a petition to protest the school board's actions. The Board of Reference was established and began to meet on August 20, 1979. (See also September 12, 1979.)

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September 12 Smeaton, Sask. A Board […]

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Smeaton

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Donald Jones

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Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Saskatoon Gay Community Centre Nipawin District School Board

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Education Act

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"The Struggle Continues...," Gay Saskatchewan (Saskatoon), 2, no. 8 (August 1979): (5)."No Decision Yet from Board: On Homosexual Teacher," Prince Albert Daily Herald, 1 September 1979, p. 3 Ross Irwin, "Teacher Fired in Saskatchewan; Trustee Resignations Demanded," Body Politic, no. 54 (1979), p. 15 "Gay Teacher Fights Back," Gay Saskatchewan (Saskatoon), 2, no. 6 (June 1979): (4)"Former Teacher Admits to Homosexual Acts," Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 23 August 1979, p. D6 "Don Jones Awaits Board of Reference Decision," Gay Saskatchewan (Saskatoon), 2, no. 9 (September 1979): (3)"Discrimination: The Human Cost. Case 2," Body Politic, no. 70 (1981), p. 13 Walter Davis, "Gay Teacher Takes on School Board and Wins," Briarpatch, January–February 1980, pp. 21–22 "Board Starts Inquiry into Firing of Teacher," Body Politic, no. 56 (1979), p. 11

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Saskatchewan Ministry of Education

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