Responses to "Homophobia in the Classroom"

So many people sent me messages of support after reading my post, Homophobia in the Classroom. Thank you so much. It has been wonderful to see that so many people care about me, and my feelings! That being said, I want to make sure that everyone understands where I am coming from when I write about countering homophobia in my students.

It is truly shocking and uncomfortable when students are mean to me because they perceive me as "acting gay" but I am not writing this blog to vent my feelings, or because I need support (although it's certainly fine when y'all send it my way!). I am writing this blog so that people can see why we are never done countering homophobia in our classrooms, or in our world.

While getting called "Mr. Gay" certainly leaves me feeling shaken, more than anything it leaves me feeling driven to further educate these students. I want to work with them to help them see the ways that everyone suffers from gender-policing, even those who are not the targeted individuals.

I want all of my kids to feel comfortable being this "little boy" if that's what they want to.

My dance recital, age 5.

Or this big woman in their spare time if that's what they want to.

Drag Queen Scarlett Ecstasy performing at the Hult Center, Eugene OR

The young students who call me "Mr. Gay" will never feel comfortable "acting gay" themselves, or wearing their own sequin/green jumpsuit, or talking about their feelings, or taking dance classes, or being drag performers or a million other things unless someone shows them that it's okay to do all of that. These behaviors must be made acceptable both with words and with actions! I know that not all of my students want these things, but it's so important to me that the ones that do know that it's okay!

So, please, send me your support! Keep it coming! But more than that, my hope is that when you read what I write you join me in creating a world free of homophobia and gender violence!