Eastside Catholic H.S. drama coach: 'I'm gay and engaged'



SAMMAMISH -- After weeks of student rallies and protests in support of former Eastside Catholic High School Vice Principal Mark Zmuda, another staff member is speaking out about her sexuality.

Zmuda said he was fired in mid-December after school officials learned he had married his male partner.  Zmuda said Eastside officials told him he could keep his job if he got a divorce.

On Monday afternoon, Eastside Catholic drama coach Stephanie Merrow called in to the Ron and Don Show on KIRO Radio to say she is gay and engaged to her girlfriend and planned on wearing her engagement ring to school.

"When the girls ask me, 'Where did you get that ring?  What's your fiance’s name?  I'm not going to lie.  That goes against my beliefs I value.  I'm shaking right now, thinking about it in anger and fear, but I love those kids and really respect and appreciate what they did for Mark.  So I’m not going to lie to them.  I'm going to say her name is Jenny," said Merrow during her radio interview.

On Monday afternoon, School President Sister Mary Tracy confirmed School Board President Glen Colin stepped down, but wouldn't elaborate on why.