What should I do about homophobic teachers...?

[Guy Fawkes]

I've had some teachers (this year and previous years) that were outspoken homophobes. One of them went so far as to attack my beliefs and my intelligence when I defended gay marriage. Now, I'm not going to spend my last year in high school in the closet. As of september, anyone who cares to know will know. But this means I might have some trouble from teachers (as well as the obvious trouble from peers).

Transfering classes is not an option at this point.

[BattyDem]

1. Report them to the school board

Harassing a gay student is no diffrent than harassing a student because of race, nationality, religion or gender. Teachers are there to teach, not judge and if they can't keep their personal prejudices out of the classroom then they have no business being there.

[merwin]

4. I'll second that. Skip the principal, as they will probably not do a damn

thing about it. Or, notify the principal that you are going to talk to the school board.

Then, if they ignore you, call up your local newspaper :-)

[libhill]

2. I guess it's easy for me to say

but, your sexual preference is nobody's goddamn business, including your teachers. They can judge you on your grades, and keep their mouth shut about your personal life. And that goes for your peers. Twenty years from now, you'll be a successful member of society, while Johnny Jockstrap and Susy Cheerleader work for minimum wage in some sweatshop.

[saltpoint]

3. Jeez, Guy Fawkes, I wish you were in a better situation.

Well, first you have my respect for standing your ground against the idiots who questioned your intelligence because of your beliefs.

Next, everything you just posted sounded like you've covered the ground already and you know what you're doing. Progressives reading what you just wrote would recognize a long list of clear-headed, sturdy-souled individual values -- and that's a mighty good thing to have going.

Last, make certain you have one or more close friends to hang with, especially if your teachers are such far-right bean-brained obstacles. And stick to your guns, read every goddamned book you want to & can get your hands on, see a dozen plays, & maybe enroll in one college-level class in a nearby community college to assert your independence from anybody in your high school who is an impediment to your learning and growing.

Also I expect you will find widespread and genuine emotional support if you ever need it from any number of DUers.

You hang in there, Guy Fawkes. We're with ya.

[dsc]

5. I am a teacher

and here is my advice.

First, I have to congradulate you on being open. I wouldn't have been as open at your age. Heck, even now I still am not out at work since I work in the South and don't have tenure yet. In any case, well done.

Now for the advice. Keep an accurate record of every encounter with these teachers. Try to have a neutral witness whenever you discuss grades or behavior issues with them. If you have an administrator you trust use them, if you don't then try to find a teacher. If worst comes to worst use a trusted student.

Turn in every assignment on time and make photocopies of them. Make up any work from illnesses on time. Do not give them an excuse to fail you.

Do not lose your temper and cuss at them, no matter what they may say. You are better off simply walking out of the room. I wouldn't put it past one of them to give tests while you were out on suspension. So don't get suspended for losing it.

I wish you luck. If a teacher does try to gun for you, use the above to fight like hell staring with the principal, then the Superintendent and School board.

[mitchtv]

6. I can't emphasize enough that first advice

Document everything=who, what, where, and when. If you can estalish a relationship with any liberal or gay friendly group who will step foward if you need support. don't forget Dates, times, quotes, and who heard them. Don't sign anything. they are required to provide a healthy environment. Good luck.

[Ian David]

7. Dude, I admire what you're doing and wish you good luck

If you're going to debate these schmucks publicly, then be prepared and well-read as much as you can.

Write down whatever "arguments" they use against you, and if you don't have a good enough answer for it, then look it up when you go home and come back with it for next time.

Of course, you could simply end each debate with the phrase, "Methinks thou doth protest too much!"

This is also a great way to network with other gay and liberal/progressive students at your school. Don't miss that opportunity. Work on plugging them into groups like DU and other liberal organizations.

Don't miss this opportunity to form a local network in your town and this chance to leave a liberal activist network behind in your school among the younger grades.

Maybe ask to start a "Diversity Club"?

[RedXIII]

8. What should I do about homophobic teachers...?

and i should congratulate you on having such courage because at my school there was this African-American lady who was very anti-gay and accused us of choosing to be that way and she allowed the other students to chant anti-gay slurs, but i bet if i ever said the N word in class then i would get in trouble.

sorry about any misspelled words I'm typing this at 12:13 AM

[Duncan Grant]

9. The Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS)

This may be a helpful resource to cite in any future debate:
http://iglss.org/index.html


ANGLES: MARCH 2002 • VOL. 6 ISSUE 1
Going Beyond Gay-Straight Alliances to Make Schools Safe for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students
http://iglss.org/pubs/highlights/highlights.html

Keep us posted, ok? :hi:

edit: link