Catholic School Says 'No Way' to Ellen Page Film About Gays

Well, forget about being Christlike. A Catholic boys' school has come under fire after they refused to let the film "Freeheld" be filmed there, because stars Julianne Moore and Ellen Page play a lesbian couple.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York, was to be the location for a key scene in a movie inspired by a true story told in the 2007 documentary, "Freeheld."

The scene focused on Moore's character, a New Jersey police detective with terminal cancer, who is seeking domestic partnership with her partner (played by Page) in order to transfer her pension to her after her death. The school was intended to serve as the town hall of Ocean County, New Jersey.

But after Principal John Flaherty initially approved the shoot, he later told producer Michael Shamberg that they had changed their mind.

"They turned us down because of the subject matter," said Shamberg.The school has reportedly approved other shoots in the past, where it has served as the setting for a music video and TV commercial.

Shamberg even emailed the principal to say that the film, based on the last days of Det. Laurel Hester, was "not about gay marriage, nor are the women attempting to get married. It is about recognizing the dignity of a woman who was a brave civil servant."

"I believe the theme of the movie is what Pope Francis recognized just yesterday when he called for the Church to welcome and accept gay people," Shamberg wrote.

But Shamberg got no response.

"All are welcomed at Salesian High School. Our school chooses to embrace the social issues such as hunger, homelessness, poverty, and helping the less fortunate," Shamberg reportedly told Buzzfeed.

Page tweeted: "Using religion to justify bigotry makes me sad. Sending my support 2 the LGBT students at the school who I hope r able 2 find acceptance."

Shamberg just said, "I respect their right to say no. But it's sad."