rights
Educator awarded $265,000 after alleging school district fired him for being gay
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 16, 2026
· 3 min read
A former superintendent was awarded $265,000 last month after suing his former school district, alleging he was fired in 2023 for being gay, according to a settlement agreement obtained by government transparency advocate John Paff. John Berenato sued New Jersey's Manchester Township School District
Key takeaway John Berenato sued New Jersey's Manchester Township School District in 2024, claiming board members buckled under “local political pressure” to prevent “those with different sexual orientations” from working in the school system.
Why this matters
The settlement award to John Berenato highlights the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace, particularly in industries like education where they may be more visible. The allegations against the Manchester Township School District, including the use of derogatory language and attempts to prevent "those with different sexual orientations" from working in the school system, demonstrate a disturbing level of hostility. The fact that two other lawsuits were filed around the same time as Berenato's, including one by a straight colleague who was allegedly targeted for her allyship, suggests a broader culture of discrimination within the district. The pending lawsuits will be closely watched, as they may shed further light on the district's actions and the impact on LGBTQ+ employees. The cases also underscore the importance of state anti-discrimination laws, like New Jersey's, in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former superintendent was awarded $265,000 last month after suing his former school district, alleging he was fired in 2023 for being gay, according to a settlement agreement obtained by government transparency advocate John Paff. John Berenato sued New Jersey's Manchester Township School District
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .