Where are all the Grade School Teachers?

[lakewinnie]

To all family in the GLBT community.


I have a problem. My girlfriend is a second grade elementary teacher and can not be out on her job. The area she works in she would be treated badly if she came out. She is out in all other aspects of her life, and we are very happy together. We attend a united church of christ church and they are great to both of us. But lately there has been some very bad talk about the GLBT people at my girlfriends school. We live in chicago, Illinois, and there is a chance of a GLBT school opening in our city. Her associates were saying they would never teach at that kind of school, also many pokes at the GLBT lifestyle in general. We want to start a support group at our church to get some more support for my girlfriend. Please let me know if anyone can help and reach out to us.

[Alecto]

I honestly haven't looked too deeply into what kinds of resources they have for teachers (I usually hear about the student end of things), but you might check out the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (glsen.org).

[Daniel]

To all family in the GLBT community.


I have a problem. My girlfriend is a second grade elementary teacher and can not be out on her job. The area she works in she would be treated badly if she came out. She is out in all other aspects of her life, and we are very happy together. We attend a united church of christ church and they are great to both of us. But lately there has been some very bad talk about the GLBT people at my girlfriends school. We live in chicago, Illinois, and there is a chance of a GLBT school opening in our city. Her associates were saying they would never teach at that kind of school, also many pokes at the GLBT lifestyle in general. We want to start a support group at our church to get some more support for my girlfriend. Please let me know if anyone can help and reach out to us.

And see what their written/stated poliices on sexual oridentation.

I bet they will be very supportive and can put her in touch with other gay teachers. This would be outside a church, but it might be very helpful nevertheless.

It's worth trying.

[keltic63]

out and proud elementary music teacher here! how can I help?


and yes, I'm out at work

[Pablo Rafael]

My opinion on LGBT schools - a very bad idea. If there is a problem with being gay in school, for either teachers or students, then that is a problem that needs to be addressed. Segregation is a poor solution. Everyone is enriched by diversity.

As a former grade school/middle school teacher in a Lutheran school who has just lost his job for being gay, I might have an different perspective than most. If I had worked in a public school, I would still have my job. I had expected some hostility when I "came out". Actually I have found almost none. It is my guess that being "out" at school would not be a major problem. It is easy for people to make negative comments about gays when it is "them", a far-off distant group. They think differently when they realize that gays are in their midst and are part of "us".

Unfortunately for my job, it is that pastor in that congregation that has total control. If he had supported me, I am sure that the school would have issued me a contract for this school year.

I think it is important to be honest and open. I would never go back in the closet. I think a teacher who is "out" needs to be willing to take a few punches. I was prepared for those punches but have been surprised at the warmth and acceptance I have received instead.

And in my case, it was good to take a break from teaching and do something else for awhile, so even the job loss wasn't a catastrophe.