Hello! After several years of being a theatre artist and teaching artist, I'm going back to school to become an elementary school teacher. Most of what I've seen for research talks about men being afraid of being perceived as homosexuals or pedophiles. What if I AM gay (but not a pedophile)? How much homophobia should I expect?
I'd love to hear from others how open they have been able to be with students, parents, staff, administration, etc.
Hi Matt,
I am an out, male preschool teacher in San Francisco.
I have the privilege to give workshops through out the country on creating safe and welcoming schools for LGBT teachers, parents and children. There is no doubt in my mind that LGBT teachers encounter discrimination in the field. Yet closeted or not, LGBT teachers are everywhere, making a difference in the field. We continue to work in the field because the calling to serve children and families is greater than the cost. We bring a unique commitment to the field and as a result, the field is changing to accomodate us. Policy leaders like the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) now use language inclusive of LGBT staff and families in their ethical codes and policy. Local and national workshops are being conducted in schools and at conferences that are helping teachers understand our joys and challenges as LGBT educators.
We live in a homophobic society. When a proposition came before the voters to eliminate gay marriage in California, it passed. We now have a state constitution that discriminates against a group of people. The ads for this campaign focused on the fact that we would be forced to teach about homosexualiy in schools and read books featuring lesbian and gay parents in schools.
There are a few schools that welcome LGBT staff and value the role we play in the lives of children, but many and most are still either struggling with how to be more welcoming or they are holding on to homophobic values.
Hey guys. I am straight and who cares? I read the posts and think about these issues a lot when considering my path and how it is changed simply by being a man. I am now 40, but when I was 24 I taught Pre k in CA. Its so hard to break into those roles as a man. Yes, I was thought to be close to that of a circus carny really. Who is this guy? Why is he working with 4 year old children? I found myself magnifying my masculinity within dramatic play that was specific to camping, construction etc. Even though I was straight, I found myself underscoring my masculinity to show everybody I was not gay. I believe, in a strange way, we do connect in this posture. It was as if not being gay made it "passable" to teach. Ok, so by not being gay it made it more curious really. Fact is, we cant win either way until more men have positions of "power" within the field. I dont get the whole issue because who you have sex with makes no bearing on how you care for children! I will go one step further on my soapbox.... I have found that many environments in ECE are packed with women who have developed a stereotype of how we men should be as caregivers. You could get the Panama Canal back faster than a qualified man can teach in settings with children under the age of 6. Im just venting but wanted to say that although my "ball and chain" is a bit different, I feel your pain. I send to you both an excited cheer of support to keep fighting the good fight. Its a hope that we men can grow in numbers a caregivers with young children.
Doug
Furthering this idea
Hello,
My name is Matt. I live in Benton, Arkansas and I am currently working on my degree in Early Childhood at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. When I saw this forum, I had to read it. I am gay and have been working in pre k for 3 years. First of all, I don’t understand why anyone sexuality should have anything to do with the classroom. I hesitate in saying that, because I can understand why it would. Not in this case though. I think that there will always be people out there that think ridiculously, but it is our job to change the minds of the parents whose children are in our classrooms. I have had these experiences and the parents always regret whatever they have said. Anyway, I didn’t know there was such a thing as schools welcoming LGBT staff. What do I know though; I live in the bible belt of Arkansas. Hope this helps!