Growing up in the small rural, conservative town of Somerset, Pennsylvania, Brad Ankney was raised to believe that it was wrong to be gay. He will tell you that he always knew that there was something different about him, but it wasn’t until fifteen years ago when he walked into a bar and met his partner that he realized that he wasn’t alone.
Brad will tell you it was love at first sight. In fact, Brad’s eyes will light up at the first mention of his partner, and maybe even well up with some tears.
“He’s like the rock in my life.” Brad says. And, he adds that his partner is the first person that he ever felt like he could truly be himself with.
Unfortunately, his employer doesn’t agree. After twelve years of working at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit as a math teacher, he is suing them because they will not offer his partner health benefits. In fact, they will hardly even entertain a conversation.
Brad claims that the AIU is in violation of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights Amendment, and the Allegheny County Human Relations Act of 2009 which asserts that prejudice cannot be shown towards people based on sexual orientation. Brad was told by the AIU that the Allegheny County Schools Health Insurance Consortium, through which they buy their insurance, was responsible for not allowing domestic partner benefits. But when Brad spoke with the Consortium, he found that they do offer benefits in many other school districts throughout the county including Upper St. Clair, Keystone Oaks, Allegheny Valley, Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School, West Mifflin Area and Fox Chapel Area, as well as the Community College of Allegheny County.
“It’s a very simple concept” Brad says, “I have always believed in fairness, and it’s gotten me into a lot of trouble” he adds with a laugh.
It’s also gotten him into a lot of good.
Brad works with at risk youth at the AIU’s Alternative Education Program and does tutoring after school at Gwen’s Girls. He is on the Board of Directors of the Allegheny YMCA on the North Side and is a Board Watch volunteer for A+ Schools.
It is clear that Brad’s heart for children and youth who have been pushed to the fringes of society based on their economic and social status has been inspired, in part, by his own experiences.
The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming and regardless of the outcome, Brad feels like he has won either way. In his personal life, he has never felt more connected or more supported and believes that raising awareness is the first step in the right direction. Coming out at work has certainly been a struggle, but it’s also brought him into closer community to those around him.
The Friends of Brad Ankney plan on hand-delivering a petition to the AIU in the near future. Please sign his petition by visiting MoveOn.org.
