Homosexual teachers and supporters are promoting dangerous ideals in classrooms today, telling students that it’s okay to be gay. They are ruining the innocence of our children, who shouldn’t be exposed to such disgusting and wrong behaviour. Some even suggest amending sex education to be relevant to gay children! More so, homosexual teachers are ostentatious enough to be open about their sexuality within the school environment – they plan to recruit more young people into their decrepit lifestyle.

This attitude – expressed above – is the kind of shit that some people actually think, believe, and preach. I think it is abhorrent.

Homophobia and heterosexism in schools is rampant, making it hardly the best environment for the growth and development of a student that identifies as being same-sex attracted. For gay teachers, many fear the day that they are outed and harassed by the more conservative or ignorant students, parents and other staff. Herein lies the issue – how can we create a safe and accepting environment for gay students, when the people trying to create this environment don’t have one of their own?

A woman from Washington is discussed in a US newspaper for the view that her seven-year-old child’s “sense of innocence” has been taken from her because the child read a book in school about two gay guinea pigs, and because the child’s female teacher mentioned an impending marriage to – gasp – another woman. There is this general consensus among those who do not agree with homosexuality that a teacher’s sexuality has no place being expressed in a classroom. This view is fine, as long as it applies to heterosexual teachers also. Often, it doesn’t – the hegemonic sexuality can be freely expressed, but not any alternatives.

In Australia, these issues are even more prevalent in religious schools, where such organisations are given the legal right to discriminate based on sexuality. Despite the supposed separation of church and state in this country – something I’m sure many of us are cynical about – religious organisations receive special treatment under government laws. Do you think this is fair?

School experiences shape our lives, and until we get it right by our students, homophobia and heterosexism will continue to be entrenched in our society. Before teachers can make a difference though, homophobia and ignorance from other staff and parents needs to be addressed. If a heterosexual teacher can mention their husband or wife, a homosexual teacher should be able to do the same. If the latter isn’t appropriate in a particular school setting, than the former should not be either. Sex education needs to be relevant to all students, not just those who are heterosexual. I also do not believe for a second that there is some minimum age that children need to reach before they can be ‘exposed’ to the idea of homosexuality. If you’re talking sex with the kids, they’re old enough for all of it. To treat it any other way is simply another expression of the heterosexism already present in schools.

I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, but Teachers TV has a video which follows the lives of five gay teachers, and how they cope with the pressures of the school environment. On that page, there are also links to a number of other relevant resources.