I won!

A little while ago, I posted this entry about some troubles I was having with a small group of parents regarding a picture book with gay characters that I was planning to read to my class, and the emotional fallout it caused me when my principal advised me to "think about my career."

I wanted to give you an update, although it's pretty anticlimactic.

I stood my ground with the principal and she supported me, even though I could tell that she had her doubts.  I don't have tenure in my district, and should I look for a different job, these parents *could* make trouble for me with a hiring committee.  But like I told her, I have been up front about my values from day one, and I wouldn't want to teach in a school that didn't support me in teaching them.

The parents, shockingly enough, also began to back down when they realized that no one else was supporting their little diatribe.  One kid stayed home "sick," and the other was given permission to listen to the story, causing me to roll my eyes privately.

The story has been read, and my kids have moved on.

I, however, have been profoundly changed by the experience.  While my classroom library has always had a few books with gay characters (something that felt daring in my former school districts), and I've made a point of shutting down any kid using the term "gay" in a derogatory way, and I've been very open about my friends who are gay; I've never made a point of weaving it into all of my curriculum.

I think that's about to change. 

A wise colleague (who happened to be gay) once said to me "Invisibility is tacit dissaproval."  I nodded, but I didn't realize that in some ways I was allowing gays to be invisible in my own classroom.  Perhaps it's that I'm not a scared first year teacher intimidated by a few pissy parents.  Perhaps it's because I've become more comfortable applying the label bisexual to myself.  Or perhaps it's just because I'm sick to death of being scared.

The truth is that I don't know how much longer I'll be a teacher.  If things go well with the pregnancy, I certainly won't be teaching next year.  Right now, I'm not sure if, how, or in what capacity I'll go back the school year after that.  But as long as I am working with kids, I need to find ways to make gays less invisible.

In the meantime?  I'm already filling my embryo's bookcase with books featuring gay characters, and showing gay families in a positive light.

Comments

[dee]

It's too bad their aren't more teachers like you!! I wish my children were taught by someone as open and upfront on important issues. I am open with my kids and have taught them to accept everyone for who they are and I am glad I did!