By TJ Lusher
In 1972, Jim Gaylord was terminated from his teaching position at the Tacoma, Washington high school. The reason for his termination – he confirmed his sexual orientation to an administrator. The admission came after Gaylord was presented with a copy of a written letter from a student indicating he thought Gaylord was gay. Gaylord sought legal readdress in a case that went all the way to the Washington state Supreme Court (88 Wash. 2d 286, 559 P.2d 1340, cert. denied, 46 U.S.L.W. 3220 (1977)).
The court cited the immorality of homosexual individuals, which violates the community morality standards for teachers in upholding the school district’s termination decision.  His wrongful dismissal was brought to the attention of the current Tacoma school board president, Kurt Miller, by Seth Kirby, executive director at the Oasis Youth Center. Kirby asked if it would be possible for the school board to issue an apology to Gaylord. Miller agreed and on July 13, 2014 Gaylord received his public apology during a fundraiser event for Oasis Youth Center.
After being fired, Gaylord became a librarian and worked as a county librarian until his recent retirement.
