Hi. I’m new to Fishbowl, and to this particular bowl as well. If you are out to your students, how did they take your coming out? How did it go over with parents? This question is especially directed to those in “red states”.

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I’m dying to come out to my students. I’m so tired of lying and dodging questions. I live in a red county in one of the bluest states. I came out to my students at my previous school in the Bay Area. It was awesome.

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I am told that there was an openly gay teacher in our building before I got there, but he was neither partnered or dating while he was there. I believe my admin would have my back if I decided to come out, but I do not want to tempt fate by getting parents up in arms about the gay teacher...

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I am a male Puerto Rican teacher who teaches 3rd grade. I came out to my class this past May. It organically happen with a lesson on name calling. I decided to introduce a restorative circle of Tell your Story if not someone will tell it for you. I introduced my class at the end to my partner of 5 years with a picture of both of us. We had lots of tears and great bonding throughout the circle time. My kids ask about my partner all the time now and are very supportive. I also do told my admin that day what just happened just Incase calls came in. I will talk to my class every year with this activity to share my loved ones. I hope this helps ❤️

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I love this…just the words “tell your story or someone else will” brought me to tears. Thank you for such a powerful message. 🏳️‍🌈❤️

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I've gradually opened up through the years I've taught at my current school. My first year there I was so ambiguous with any answers I gave they said I was married to a tall blond woman and drove a Prius (I'm married to an average height dark haired man and drive a Hyundai 😆). At this point, I can openly say "my hubby" in casual conversation around my students and not get any disruptions (not that I would have my first year there but I was playing it safe). I am also one of the sponsors for our school's GSA and have been a lot more open about recruiting anyone and everyone to join and learn more about their peers. I teach math but my students learned that gay men can't donate blood because they asked if I was going to donate during a school blood drive. It all depends on what you're comfortable with and how much of your life you want the kids to know about. At the end of the day, honesty is the best policy and it may help some students to see some diversity or an inspiration.

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I teach kindergarten...I routinely get asked:
“are you married?” (No)
“Why? Don’t you want a wife?” (No)
I explain that my cats, my brother and his dog give me all the love I need. Before my partner passed away, my students knew him as Mr. (his first name).

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I teach high school. They know I have a wife. I don’t share at the beginning. I don’t know how people feel, but my students seem okay with it. I just proceed with caution and generally around Christmas I share our family card. Lol

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Came out a long time ago, and if we talk about family in the classroom, I will say, “My wife” as if no big deal. Yes, MN is pretty liberal, but… I had a kid who wore a different bible verse t-shirt every day. I could tell that if I mentioned my wife or family, he’d get a scowl and look away. By the time he graduated, he still had his faith but had opened up and said I was his favorite teacher and would challenge any other kid who wasn’t as open-minded. He also had gay friends now, kids he met in school. Sometimes support comes from the places you least expect it.

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I make it a point to wear a trans pin and a rainbow “love is love” lanyard to work every day. I’ve also worn rainbow and trans flag masks, and this is in a red county. So far no haven’t gotten any pushback, since I teach in a very supportive school. What I *have* gotten though, is students coming out to me and asking me for support.

I do think at some point some parent might have some problem but, at the end of the day, we have to be visible role models. Or at least that’s my take on it.

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I'm gender-non-conforming, so it's kind of obvious by what I wear. It's harder to come out about being bi/pan.

I honestly never thought about it. I just casually talk about my partner, and I don't worry about the impression. One year I had a student warn me about a plan to "catfish" me from some hookup site, which was a laugh riot. I'm not out, as in making announcements, but I generally don't see what my relationships have to do with teaching physics. Meanwhile, I am open and honest when asked. The progressive fabric of modern pedagogy is rife with socio-emotional and acceptance based learning, and I am fairly certain I'd have the adminstration's support.... For what I couldn't fathom, except some fanatic suggesting my sexual orientation had some bearing on teaching. I teach in Houston, Tx area for context.

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likeuplifting

I teach 4th and 5th grade.
I am not out to my students and families.
I am a very loved and "popular" teacher at school for my ability to build relationships and engage.

I am worried that coming out or rather being outed may affect my ability to build relationships because parents who have issues will inevitably relay certain messages to their children.


Coming out in an elementary setting is different from a middle or high school setting I feel. Anyone else?

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Today is national coming out day.

What's been your journey as an LGBT professional?

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My partner is a cancer survivor, and I brought her in to talk to my kids. I had her stay for one of our GSA meetings and did something I have never done before--I answered questions about our journey together. It felt very liberating, but still scary.

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Have you felt the need to come out to show advocacy and diversity in your classroom? Even if you’re totally comfortable in your personal life, do you feel this need to be out and be an ally?

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I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and their loved ones.

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