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NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A former New Jersey high school teacher suspended for posting anti-gay comments online has dropped her bid to be reinstated.
An attorney for Jenye Viki Knox filed the one-sentence notice with U.S. District Court in Newark on Tuesday.
Knox was accused of posting comments on her Facebook page in 2011 saying homosexuality was a sin that "breeds like cancer" and described it as "perverted."
She was suspended without pay from her tenured position as a special education teacher at Union Township High School in late 2011 and resigned several months later, citing health problems caused by the suspension.
Knox then sued the school district in federal court in 2013 claiming religious and racial discrimination, free speech and other civil rights violations and denial of due process.
Among other claims, Knox, who is black, said school officials didn't condemn alleged racist online comments posted in response to her Facebook posts.
The suit also contended her comments were an expression of her personal religious beliefs made during non-school hours and not using school equipment.
Knox's lawsuit, which is continuing in federal court, seeks compensatory and punitive damages and back pay.
An attorney representing Knox didn't immediately comment Wednesday.
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