(CNN) – A New York state middle school teacher has filed a $3 million lawsuit against her former employer, saying she was improperly let go because of a topless photo she’d sent privately to someone she was dating.
Lauren Miranda says she texted the photo to her partner at the time -another teacher in the district – more than two years ago. She has no idea how a student now was able to get a copy and share it.
Now she is suing the school for what her attorney calls discrimination.
“Anytime a man has ever exposed his chest no one has commented or had any problem with it what so ever. But when a woman displays her chest as happened here she gets fired from her job,” said Miranda’s lawyer, John Ray.
In a statement to News 12, South Country’s superintendent says “the district does not comment on active litigation.”
But the incident has parents of students at the school talking.
“It is a sad state of affairs. It’s a shame really, for the school, for the teacher for everyone involved,” said Bellport resident Karen Ann Hawkins.
“Miranda says she loved working at Bellport middle school and through her attorney says would be willing to drop this lawsuit if she was reinstated however she says as of now the superintendent has told her that’s not happening,” said Andrew Ehinger, another resident.
Miranda says she is actively looking for teacher jobs in other districts while the lawsuit is in progress.