What I've read today

So for the past few days I have been following the firing of Johanna Korhonen from the Finnish newspapers. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's some background information:

She was chosen to be the chief editor of the newspaper Lapin Kansa (the people of Lapland, newspaper for that region) in August and was fired in September. She was supposed to start at the job in mid-December. Lapin Kansa is a part of a bigger newspaper group Alma Media, the biggest in Finland, and the CEO Kai Telanne fired her for lack of trust. He's saying she was lying to them from the beginning and didn't give all the relevant information. She's saying she was fired because she's a lesbian and is living with her partner in a registered relationship, in other words, is married to her. For the past few days they have been going back and forth with who said what, who did what, and what are the real reasons behind her being fired. The Newspaper group is still talking about lack of trust. and her not disclosing all information. She's saying she was fired after they found out she's married to a woman. Now I learned her partner is a candidate at the local municipal election and is not part of the party that the newspaper usually supports.

I just read an interview by Heikki Tuomi-Nikula, the chief editor of the newspaper (the one she was supposed to succeed) in which he said that it would be very difficult for the chief editor to be a out-lesbian and do the job well since whatever is printed in the newspaper will be a reflection of her living situation. and how it's not just the newspaper but she's representing the whole region. It would be OK to be a closeted lesbian/gay, but being out is not a good thing. He also said that the people who chose her to be the chief editor made a mistake in the first place. The CEO of Alma Media says that Tuomi-Nikula's comment does not represent the opinion of the group.

then I read an article how this was talked about in the Finnish house of representatives today. The Finnish government disapproves.

Johanna Korhonen also said that she was offered 100000 euros for not going public with the firing.

Then I read that the staff at the newspaper wants Kai Telanne to resign! So clearly, as far as the staff is concern, there's no lack of trust between the staff and Johanna Korhonen! So HOW can they say that?!?! Sounds to me like there's some heavy political homophobia going on in the newspaper group. I'm saddened that this is going on in Finland in such a high level group. But in the same time, I'm happy to hear that in such a remote and north place as Lapland there are people who are willing to stick up for you and who are accepting. I hope this will end up well for Johanna Korhonen. Can't be easy being in her shoes right now.

In a weird way I've become political lately. Must be T's influence! Or is it in the air?