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LGBTQ Teachers and Coming Out

In the waning hours of this semester, and several hours’ worth of research, there’s something to be said about the impact of LGBTQ* teachers in the field of education. Mainly, that I can’t find a ton of research on the impact of teachers coming out to their community, nor can I find any resources on how teachers should come out to their work place. 

So why is that? Why shouldn’t we see teachers as people who need help coming out? 

I suspect the answer to these two questions is as follows: teachers are generally seen as public servants, rather than people. Though students may not admit this, there is a tendency to not realize that teachers have lives outside the classroom. Not that the teacher’s personal life necessarily has any influence over the classroom, but it does have an impact on the classroom and the classroom environment.

What do I mean by that? Simply that a teacher’s personal life, their values, what they believe in, how they talk about things always provide context to the work that they are teaching, regardless of subject matter. This is because effective teachers teach more than their content area: they teach life lessons, and influence the attitudes and mindsets of every student that walks into their classroom, whether teachers recognize this or not. 

Someone asked me last night about whether I thought teachers should come out of the closet. I responded that frankly, it’s a case by case basis. Teachers, like their students, should wait to come out under primarily these circumstances (in my opinion as both a queer woman and a future teacher):

1. The teacher is comfortable coming out.

2. The environment of the school and surrounding community is safe enough for them to come out. 

3. The environment of the school and surrounding community is supportive enough for them to come out. 

4. It is appropriate for the teacher to come out.

One is obviously a no-brainer, but I would like to pause to make the distinction between two and three. Safety and support are not necessarily one in the same, and I think it’s really important for teachers to be sure of this before they come out, if they decide that they would like to come out to their students. However they may define safety and support is up to them, frankly. In fact, I’m not sure what safety and support will look like to me until I get into the community of the school and get to know what the environment surrounding the school is like.

Even in school communities where it is safe to come out and the surrounding community may be incredibly supportive, teachers still can be fired by administration (just look at the amount of videos on this blog!) in spite of their sexuality or gender expression. We unfortunately live in a society where schools believe they are in the right to get away with firing teachers based on gender expression or sexual identity. 

So to all teachers coming out: your struggle is recognized, even if its not fully acknowledged by the vastness of the Internet. Your safety is the most important thing, and never forget that. 

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Impact of Teachers who come out

The initial aspect that I wanted to explore when we first signed up for topics for this blog was the impact LGBT teachers had on their community (namely the students and parents) when they came out. However, articles surrounding this topic were incredibly difficult to find. This was discussed in my previous post, so I don’t want to really go back to it and beat a dead horse, as it were. So what benefit does coming out have on students and the surrounding community? The answer to this question comes from observation, personal experience and discussions with several teachers/school administrators. 

Depending on students and their respective beliefs, their relationship with said teacher may change. However, it is generally shown that teachers who come out are seen as an ally not only to LGBT students, but to students who are struggling with other difficulties. These students view the out teacher as someone who supports them because the students know that the teacher understands what it’s like to be struggling with something. I think, in this aspect, it can be very beneficial for teachers to come out. However, there probably are students who are homophobic and the relationship with that teacher will drastically change. It’s just the unfortunate way of it, some times. But I don’t think that’s necessarily a reason to shut yourself out to being a hand toward other students.

Additionally, by coming out in the classroom, the teacher is making the firm stance that bullying of any sort will not be tolerated. Coming out effectively establishes that teacher’s classroom as a safe space for all students, especially LGBTQ students, making the classroom an overall safer learning environment.Being out may even make it easier to integrate LGBT issues into their curriculum. This is all assuming that the school is a supportive enough environment where the teacher can safely come out without the declaration being a detriment to their job or health. 

The community and the administration at large may post to be a bigger problem, as teachers are still getting fired by administrators (allegedly for other reasons, but we all weren’t born yesterday and we know what’s really going on) or parents begin to petitions to get these teachers fired. There is really nothing we can do to change the minds of intolerant people. The best we can hope for is to educate them. However, this isn’t to say that every parent will be against teachers, and every administrators won’t want to fire their out teachers.

These are real scenarios and they happen on a case by case basis. No one can say for sure what will happen to a teacher when they decide to come out in their environment. All we can do is hope for the best.  

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“The new contract warns potential educators that any conduct that goes against the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and “would reflect discredit on or cause scandal to the School” could result in termination, and says that any public support of things like the “homosexual lifestyle,” sex out of wedlock, and abortion, among other issues, is strictly prohibited.” It is crazy that even now that people that are gay or who support gay rights could lose their jobs. Love is Love

- Katelyn

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“the effect of being open to students about LGBT community issues and showing you are an ally can help students who are struggling with their identity and gives them a safe place.  “Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reported that LGBT students feel safer and more supported in schools where they can identify supportive staff members” (Smith). “Leithwood & McAdie (2007) provided evidence that teachers who felt safe had a higher level of professional efficacy, which in turn contributed to increased student achievement” (Smith). For the students to be proficient the teachers need to feel like they are wanted and needed by the school and the students. However, “Since the 1920s, the climate for LGBT educators has been structured through court cases, cultural shifts and backlashes, and public debates about morality and sexual orientation” which prompts LGBT educators to feel unsafe and be on their toes looking out for any legal problems that may arise (Smith). Juul & Repa conducted a study that specifically measured the level of “outness” and the correlation to job satisfaction. They found that “teachers who rated themselves as more “out” to administrators scored higher on the job satisfaction survey and were more comfortable being acknowledged for successful performance within their jobs” (Smith). However, this didn’t cover how safe they felt in their work environments. It is very difficult for a teacher to do their job to the best of their abilities if they are constantly hiding who they are from everyone they work with and their students. They need to have their free speech rights protected so that they can feel safe knowing that the law will defend them. In Jackson’s study the participants “progressed from not believing they could teach (due to not identifying as heterosexual) through a closeted teacher phase to finally the authentic phase, when the educators were open about their sexuality to their school communities” (Smith). When they are open about who they are, they become more focused on their jobs and the kids than watching over their backs. Shannon said that “I met one little girl in 6th grade who came to me at start of period to tell me that the role sheet had the wrong name, and what to call her. The knowing look of gratitude was really rewarding. I’ve even been left notes from kids who wanted to support and express gratitude for having me. A couple were totally anonymous” (Sorensen). Kids need this because “they really needed an adult that they could actually KNOW wouldn’t judge them for it. I never told anyone I was a “safe resource” or commented on “safe space.” Never had to” (Sorensen). Growing up is already difficult enough, so making access to support even easier for them and having support systems that they know they can trust is very important. Teachers are with the kids for 7 hours per day 5 days a week, they end up getting to know the kids and the kids start to trust them. Teachers need to be the safe place for kids, the classroom should not feel like a jail cell.”

Fraticelli, Kristen L. LGBTQ+ Educators. Working paper. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

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An Interview With a Trans Substitute

“Missoula district was really supportive and accommodating. MISSOULA.

I grew up in Columbia Falls

There were two students in big sky high school (brothers) who’s parents called in and rose a big stink over my teaching any of their classes at all.

The school’s response was “well, miss class then.” I was told at the beginning of the day that I had one student in two different periods that I was required to send to the counselor’s office immediately. Heard from another teacher (prior friend) about why. The admin never even told me about it. There was NO change to how, when, or where I could do my job over it.

When I first started subbing, I was covering my tattoos b/c I wasn’t sure their stance. When I called and asked district coordinator about it, she said they didn’t care at all. I never had to cover them at all. Especially nice given that while I used to be able to EASILY hide them all, girl shirts are all designed for cleavage whether you have any or not, so almost none of my shirts could cover the ones on my chest. always wore my sleeves rolled up all day, so everyone saw my tattoo sleeve. Aaaaall the kids know I have tattoos and gauges. When I started with MCPS, Missoula county public schools, they have a checklist sheet you mark all the classes you’re willing to sub for. Grades and subjects. I could give a damn, I can BS my way through anything so I just checked them all without thinking about it. Then I got an assignment to teach gym. Oops. So I dropped the job and called sub coordinator to ask about it, since many gym teacher offices are IN the locker rooms…..  She said she didn’t know, she had never thought about it either. She said she’d look into it and get back to me. Got a call a couple of days later. Ver batim, she said I “could move through any bathroom or locker room in the entire district. Whatever you’re comfortable with.” Frenchtown is not so…. Free. When I asked them, he said that he knew what he had to say, and what was “probably the right answer.” They were implied as not the same thing. I told him that Missoula didn’t care about me and bathrooms and locker rooms at all. He said “yea, that’s probably the right answer. There’s a gender-neutral bathroom by the front office…” I told him no, flat out. Then pointed out that behind me were the FACULTY restrooms. Which, btw, are SINGLE Person bathrooms. One room. One toilet, one sink. I’m honestly not sure I understand the point of separating them at all. What’s it fucking matter if there’s only one person allowed in? after I pointed that out, he conceded I may have a point and didn’t push the matter, but I could tell it made him uncomfortable. He didn’t even respond to the gym issue. But, I found out later that every gym period in the junior high, there is an extra (female) faculty to be there at the beginning and end of every period. Bc the jr high him teacher is male, and they require the locker rooms be “checked in on”. Can’t trust kids to change their own clothes, naturally. Except, when *i* teach gym. Then, there are two extra faculty assigned to be there. I’m not allowed in either locker room. Not that I at ALL want to go into the boy’s locker room, but it just goes to show they don’t have a stance beyond “no, you can’t exist in here.” I stopped trying. Beyond that, Frenchtown has never done anything outright against me. But from the beginning I felt like the entire school staff were watching me. Not keeping tabs, just always cautious. Less welcoming. Missoula was ALwAYS welcoming and kind to me. Never an issue at all. The admin never once even mentioned to me that they had ever been contacted about me. At all.  No changes. It’s not that they were hiding anything, it was just such a non-issue, they didn’t feel the need. If I had to guess given my experience speaking and interacting with the admin, I don’t feel offended at all. It just more than anything feels like “it affects nothing, so we didn’t want to bother you about it.” I heard about it second hand from other faculty. Though, I had noticed that every admin in all the buildings greeted me by my first name. I had never met them. They all just knew who I was on sight. They’ve had board and admin meetings about me. Its not that they didn’t address it before… those meetings were never because THEY needed to talk about it. It was to deal with the parents. Or, more rather, to decide how to respond to parents when they got angry (they were) phone calls about me. I only know any of this because I heard it second hand from other teachers. I have no idea how many times they were contacted over it, all I know for sure was that at least 3 schools got at least 2 calls. I get the feeling there were a lot more…. From what I heard (again, second hand info. Take as you will), that the jist of their “pre-determined formal response” was along the lines of: “we understand you have an issue with this. Please understand we don’t care. We are not going to discriminate against an effective substitute for these reasons. If you don’t want your children to attend class with this substitute, then you can come and pick them up from school for that period, and drop them off again after. We’re not in the business of babysitting kids who don’t want to go to class.” Second hand jist. But that’s how it was told to me. The only incident I have specific knowledge of (big sky), I was also told by teacher friend that the kids could have cared less. It was only the parets raising a stink.

As for the students in general, I for the most part haven’t had any real issues. Sometimes I think I may have heard the purposely misgender me, but they’re pretty quiet about it. No outright defiance (for that reason, at least implicitly. They’re still teenagers). I’ve been told by students on a few occasions that other kids had been making fun of me or being disrespectful when they knew I couldn’t hear, but I never really heard anything. At least not that I was sure enough of that I could say anything. My hearing is juuuuuust bad enough that I cant always tell for sure what pronoun someone uses. Especially if its under their breath. But nothing outright disrespectful to my face about it. I think they know what would happen to them if they did…. Its so hard for districts to get and keep good subs that they take any reports of behavior issues VERY seriously, for any reason or sub. If i said that they disrespected me in that manner, the whole world would come down on their head and they know it. I’ve gotten a few questions in poor taste, but its due more to benign curiosity than any kind of prejudice. It’s also an interesting pretense…. Everyone knows, apparently, they ALL talk about it (students), they all know I’m trans. Mostly. They’re fairly sure, they all know it’s the rumor. But no one has ever been actually TOLD about it. Its ignored. They THINK they know, but not enough to be sure. So, I get the occasional question. “is that a wig?” is one. There was one incident where they seriously raised their hand in the middle of class lecture to ask “are you trans?” My favorite response, is to point out that that’s NOT a question they want to be wrong about….. its like asking someone when the baby is due. If I’m NOT trans, that’s reaaaaaally insulting and worrisome. Once I point out to them the nature of the question they asked, they get this reeeaaaaally horrified look on their face…. Its fucking hysterical. I love it. Its aaaaaalmost worth it. But my usual response otherwise was “no, I’m a woman.” So, they know. Sorta. Mostly. But not for sure…… its awesome. I generally raise my eyebrows at them and make them consider their question. Most of the worst insults and misgendering by students is mostly perpetrated by the trouble students I’m already being stern with.  I do not take their shit. And they KNOW it. Its part of my legend….. But a lot of students think I’m plenty amusing, and I get stopped all the time around town by kids saying hello and asking when I’m coming back. So, yea. The kids being douches, were already douches. Worst kids are still Frenchtown, but again. They’re still teenagers. Anyone is going to have some bullshit. And if they don’t insult with trans, they insult with something else equally offensive. My teaching experience in MCPS has been truly stellar. Not one concession has ever been made on the point, and not once has ANYone employed by MCPS EVER brought the fact that I’m trans up at all. On the FEW times its been a topic, *i* was the one to bring it up. They’ve been phenomenal. Kids have been pretty chill. All things considered, even Frenchtown has been at least moderately reasonable. The never said I COULDN’T teach gym, they just needed locker room people. To be fair. Just a different feel, and they were aware of the more rural attitude of the parents in general, and seem more nervous over it. No faculty has ever insulted me on purpose. Although, I have mixed feels over the woman faculty (ftown art) who approached me to express her support and that she was glad they had a trans teacher, and she’d heard about me and had to meet me. Mixed, because her saying so pretty well proves that she picked me out cold from a crowd….. but people don’t think about that implication. They’re usually always trying to be nice and supportive, in any case. Nice lady, though. She likes me.

Oooooo, one other thing to bear mentioning. I HAVE been approached by several students (quietly, away from other kids), who wanted to ask me about being trans. But, because they thought they may have been trans themselves….. they wanted to know what to do/go/talk to/proceed in general. I always pointed them to anne harris and mentioned that I didn’t point them to anyone. But they’re the only ones I’ve ever not denied it to. They’ve been pretty chill, and just trying to reach out because they were confused about themselves. In that respect, I’m glad I was in the schools particularly. Even, almost, a little, MAAAYYYYYYYYBE glad they could tell. So they knew they could ask. I met one little girl in 6th grade who came to me at start of period to tell me that the role sheet had the wrong name, and what to call her. The knowing look of gratitude was really rewarding. I’ve even been left notes from kids who wanted to support and express gratitude for having me. A couple were totally anonymous. They just showed up on top of my paperwork. So, in that respect, I’m really happy to have been a part of the schools systems in that age group of “flux”. When they really needed an adult that they could actually KNOW wouldn’t judge them for it. I never told anyone I was a “safe resource” or commented on “safe space.” Never had to. At least two of the kids who approached me on the topic were in Frenchtown. They obviously had no idea what to do. So, I’m pretty grateful I could be that for people. For most everyone else, it’s still a good thing to have a visible (hesitate to call myself a “role-model”) adult in their school/non family who is an obvious source of support/info/encouragement/comfort. I think its really good for them to interact with people that way in a CASUAL manner, NOT implicitly for that reason. I’m not a novelty alone, I’m just THERE. Novelty, but it’s not WHY I’m there, or WHY I’m talking to them. Its not even discussed or mentioned. No need for (so this is trans person, be respectful, who knows what trans means? Be sure to treat her normally. Don’t single her out anyone, that would be passé….” The pretense is half of what makes it so damn perfect. Not SURE. Not talked about. Not special. Just….. there. No different. Esp. when I do teach gym. It shows them that its perfectly NORMAL, benign, and simply a fact of life. Nothing to make any kind of issue over. No different. Just real people. Professional adult. Not pointing it out or trying to bond over it. Just Being there is plenty educational.

It’s one of the main reasons I liked doing it. I was terrified at first. I’ve subbed before in great falls, pre-trans. I know I can do it, am good at it, respected for it by faculty. I know I’m good at my job. I was terrified they wouldn’t even consider hiring me for fear of “putting their neck out.” Not wanting to stir crap with the parents. (enemy of ALL faculty and admin). But they surprised me. Not even Frenchtown ever brought it up first. Ever. It was MY question about what policy was. I was never told I couldn’t or shouldn’t teach ANY subject by EITHER district. Even ftown gym. I was especially impressed by them, given their rep for history toward lgbt students. No student group of their own, not allowed, they’re lumped into “diversity group”. But it was never mentioned, not even during hiring or interviews. It was never truly a problem for anyone. So no real “bad” experiences at all. They’re trying to be better. “

- Shannon Sorensen