The religion teacher who was fired this summer from a local Catholic school because of her same-sex marriage will take part in the Washington, D.C., welcoming reception for Pope Francis this week.
The Human Rights Campaign invited Margie Winters and her wife to the Wednesday ceremony at the White House.
Winters made international headlines in June after Waldron Mercy Academy terminated her when a parent complained to the archdiocese of Philadelphia that she is married to a woman. School administration knew of her marriage when she was hired eight years ago.
Her story became the focal point of the discourse on how the Catholic Church treats LGBT people, in advance of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Philadelphia. Winters wrote the pope a letter, as did some of her students, urging a discussion on LGBT inclusion in the Church.
Winters will also be a special guest at the LGBT Families Picnic at the John C. Anderson Apartments, 251 S. 13th St., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26.
Pope Francis arrives in Philadelphia on Saturday, at the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families.