Gay Teachers

Being gay is not your 'private' life, it is how you identify, it is a part of who you are. I think this is such a strong message and indeed answer, if put before your head teacher!

How can we be positive role models as individuals if we conceal or lie about who we are?

Isn't it our job to teach young people that everybody is different and celebrate diversity?

I work as a TA currently and hope to begin my PGCE course in September. I have never been asked by a pupil or colleague 'are you gay?' but I have to admit I have dodged around questions such as 'have you got a boyfriend'.

Having been at my current job for some time I don't feel the need to suddenly come out. However I do think in time I will have the confidence to tackle homophobic comments made by pupils and eventually be an openly gay teacher.

This video was very inspiring but I do feel it would be good to see a more recent one maybe focusing on cities outside of London and Manchester??

It's interesting to note the difference in attitudes between teachers in the UK and those in NZ, where I have just started as a beginning teacher. I too find myself on a constant crusade to fight the good fight against derogatory use of the word 'gay.' My students rationale, initially, was that it was a bit unfair of me to ban the word in the current context ('it's just the way we speak'), but when I said to them, 'would you be comfortable if somebody was using the word 'black' in the same way?', they began to see my meaning.

The hardest thing, for me, is that while many teachers don't discuss their private lives with students, there are some subjects that aren't so taboo - husbands/wives/grandchildren etc. which I can't contribute to, and so I find myself increasingly in favour of a deeper level of honesty with my kids.

I ask myself, that if one of my students were to come to me in honesty and ask if I'm gay...would I have the courage to answer honestly?

I don't know.

Pretty much to second what Mark said about six posts back. Am starting training in September and the video definitely helped me to think about how I will approach life as a gay teacher.

Very informative. It really gave me a lot to think about

I enjoyed this program very much. I think you should know you are far ahead of US regarding being out as a teacher. It is good to know that there are places in the world that are not as backward as the United States. Thanks for a great program and Merry/Happy Christmas to all.
Nicholas

Well, here in Australia I am ONLY able to watch THIS video.

The rest are BLOCKED to view because of the country I am in...

If I go to "Teachers TV" in Australia and type in "gay" or "homosexual" there are NO results..like...none....zilch.

So you guys in the UK are at least able to talk about it and see what IS happening, and not feel so isolated..but here in the back blocks of the world we are left in the dark.

I don't reckon I could ever come out at the school I am in..the staffroom is full of homophobic jokes, the word "gay" is used to describe just about anything shite by the students and I would probably be bashed by some parents...

I thought these videos might give me hope, but I will go back into my "straight-acting shell"!! lol...in a sad, true and slightly bitter way!!!

GO UK

i watched the tv show and thought that it was really inspiring, but it would not make me come out to my pupils, that is my private life, the life i lead outside the school gates, i will use examples from this from time to time but i think that it is not a case of being out. it may be a case if a pupil asked the question, but to be called a name like queer, its a word and lots of people use it, it does not offend me as the miss use of gay does not offend me, gay means happy and also gay as in homosexual. i think that it is good that yes kids have to learn about it but they also have to learn about alot of other issues aswell, i liked the idea that it is the whole school, and you look at homosexuality as a point through bulling but i dont understand the concept of coming out to kids and doing policies based solely on homosexuality.

maybe its just me being scared and fluffing the subject but i just feel that there is something wrong with bringing the personal lives of teachers to the focus of the school just because you are gay??

I am on a teacher training course, and in my first placement. I am openly lesbian to pretty much everyone I can think of, apart from in my first placement school. I feel very confused about whether I should strive to be 'out' or not. I am feeling a lot of pressure to 'femme' it up, in case I might look butch, and then someone might find out and ask the dreaded question. Miss, are you a lesbian.... I am in a school that doesn't seem to have 'sexual orientation' feature anywhere on its equal opportunities policy (unless I've missed it). Should I be open and honest about being gay? Should I try and hide it for as long as possible, lets face it, I'm only there til xmas? I feel like the tv show was amazing, but I'm getting mixed messages from places like this tv show and tutors on my course that advise me not to let people (students and other teachers) know I'm gay, and keep my private life, private. I feel so confused, I just want to be the best teacher I can possibly be. But I am no good at keeping secrets, but then I don't want to stir things or make life difficult for myself. Does anybody have any REALLY good advice, or is anyone in the same boat as me?
Answers on a postcard.....

I am starting a PGCE after my Open University degree and I am a single gay man. I do not have a partner because I am a Roman Catholic. This programme really helped me because if we can all deal with homophobia, then we can make schools happier and safer places to be.

Hugh :)

Starting teacher training this September and quite anxious about the whole issue, so this program has come as a very positive boost to my confidence. Plenty to think about, especially regarding personal and professional responsibilities.

As someone coming new to teaching, it would be interesting to know more about LGBT teacher support groups/networks to share advice and experiences with.

As a Gay teacher not out and proud this programme gave me loads to think about. However, I can't help but feel let down that again we have something of a London-centric (or at least Metropolitan) perspective on a National issue.

How do the teachers in small rural communities get by perhaps without the support networks of a "Gay Community" and how do they deal with ignorance engendered not through hatred but through lack of exposure?

Would it have killed the programme makers to find someone who represents life outside London and Manchester (both hugely cosmopolitan cities) to perhaps give us who teach in smaller schools and communities, where positive role models and interactions are a little harder to come by, something to inspire hope!

digga x

see my comments above

My partner and I watched all of the programmes and found them moving and informative.

My partner is a teacher (Art and SPecial Ed) and I am in the last few weeks of my PGCE.

My partner has been 'out' at all her schools whilst she has returned to teaching, but whilst a TA was told by the head not to discuss our family. This was made even more awkward by the fact that three of our six children also atended the same school and one of the children was told that she could not create her family tree with two Mum's on it.

I am completing my final placement at a Catholic school and my first placenet was at a school with a high number of muslim children - I have not come out totally at either school. My mentor at my current school does know about my family.

I talked to the only out gay teacher at my first placement and he said that he talked about his partner at his inteerview and wold not have taken a job at the school if his sexuality had been a problem.

I do agree with this on the whole but I cannot move house to live near a school that finds my sexuality acceptable and I guess this is the case for a lot of people.

We should be able, as should pupils, to not fear 'coming out'. I have come from industry and education is a long way behind.

Homophobic bullying in any form must be addressed and stamped out. Did I hear someone say 'Every Child Matters'? or is that only the case if they are straight?

I think your programmes were really brilliant and I hope have educated people who did not appreciate how much homophobia there is in our schools.

My partner and I will in the future become involved actively in the fight against these problems so that lives improve for teachers and pupils alike. We all need to do our bit and stand together.

Fantastic to hear from lots of the LGBT community! Keep the pressure on and the fight going, we are gaining momentum so let's not loose it!
It is only ignorance that causes homophobia - once educated attitudes do change, the programme is proof of that.
Huge thanks to all for support and encouragement.
Ovaries and out x

As a Mother of two teenage children as well as a Deputy Headteacher, watching this programme has raised my awareness of how young people use the word 'gay' inappropriately. I shall now challenge my own children if they continue to use the word in a derogatory way. Thank you to all those who took part in making this film, which allows viewers to question practice and support equality.

Just watched this program and I think it is great!

I completely agree with the comments everyone has made about tackling the use of gay as a derogatory word. But I have a feeling that until kids can see homophobia being treated on the same level as racism and religious intolerance in their PHSE lessons, homophobic attitudes in schools will remain.

Fab programme! Thanks to everyone at Lambent and Teachers TV. Two of the educators in the programme said that more should be done in primary school. What a shame that more programmes aimed at primary schools weren't included in the scheduling for the week...That's my only grumble!

I enjoyed being involved in the programme and look forward to seeing more weeks like this on Teachers TV!

The use of the word 'gay' as a derogatory term is endemic in schools, teachers all have a responcibilty to correct students from using this word, while teachers say nothing children have it reinforced that it is ok to be homophobic. For every child in school who is gay/seen to be gay,the continual use of the word as a negative image reinforces negative thoughts about themselves, like a dripping tap this wears the child down- they have to listen to the negative comments in every lesson, at breaks etc all day long try and image how you would feel, so please all teachers try and correct students when they make 'gay' comments, you would if they were using racist, fat comments. I am openly out with collegues and with limited students at work

I also agree that kids and teachers say'thats gay that is or your gay'

I went on a crusade to stop it and now kids still say it but if i am near by they do appologise or other with tell them to stop.

it does work.

if you act as though its natural and normal so will they. We have a number of openly gay students.
i hope I have helped in some way.

I watched your programme with great interest. I live in Chester and work in a very white middle class area. The locals are quite biggited and homophobic, mostly down to lack of exposure. I have been out from day one, both to staff and pupils. I dont have problems at all. there has been a couple in the past 5 years from kids who didnt know me, but that changes when i take the time to get to know them.

So come out..............

plus if people dont and cover up with a pretend life (as some I know do) what message is that giving!!!!!!!!!