A volleyball coach has alleged that administrators at a Colorado high school forced him to leave his job over refusing to condemn being gay, CNN reports.
Inoke Tonga, a former teacher at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, said in a Facebook post that the admin team had asked him if he had shared details about his sexual orientation on his account, per the outlet.
They then allegedly told him that "they can't put the kids at risk by having me in front of them."
In a recent interview with CNN, Tonga said he has felt "every emotion on the spectrum," but that the most overwhelming one he feels after sharing the ordeal is love.
He said that he started at the school in 2020, where he coached the boys' team and was later approached to coach the girls' team
"The culture document of Valor Christian that was given to me during the interview process didn't mention anything about their stance on LGBTQ+," Tonga said in the post.
He said, however, that he was told during a meeting that "parents pay too much money to have their kids be coached and taught by someone like you who identifies as a gay man."
The administrators also allegedly cast doubt over his sexual orientation, with Tonga recounting that they told him: "You just need some direction to reach the goal of becoming a child of God."
Tonga said that he was essentially given an ultimatum - he could "denounce being gay" or be dismissed from the school.
In a statement to the Denver Post regarding the matter, the school said: "Valor Christian High School embraces, loves and respects all students, families and other participants in our community, regardless of whether or not they agree with Valor's beliefs.
"Although Coach Inoke has misrepresented many aspects of this matter, Valor appreciates the contributions he has made to the student athletes in our volleyball program, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors."
Tonga said that he sent the school an email, explaining that it is possible to be gay and Christian. The school is yet to respond, he says.
