Non-Normative Gender and Sexual Identities in Schools: - Schools Out

My view: I think these issues are extremely important, they are the
first barrier to the problems being overcome and if they are not
first recognised then they cannot be challenged – simple as that!
People need to understand that heterosexuality and male/female
binaries are not essential categories and they need to understand
early that discrimination on these grounds should never be tolerated, if
those in charge do not adhere to these values, others will follow suit.
This is particularly essential in schools, where as well as hierarchical
staff relationships, you have the next generation looking up to their
teachers as role models; these role models need to be good.
5. How important do you feel it is for LGBT teachers and other staff to
be ‘out’ at work?
Prompt: There seems to be disagreement amongst teachers about
disclosure of ones own sexuality or gender identity at work. Do you
see coming out at work as a matter of responsibility? For example to
demonstrate to young people that it is ok to be gay/bi/trans and in an
attempt to help normalise non-normative identities.
My view: I feel that in order for us to work towards equality we need
to normalise LGBT identities wherever possible, hiding them at
work will not help this cause. Whilst I appreciate some peoples views
in relation to their private lives and I wouldn’t advocate the outing of
anybody against their will by another person and not even necessarily
the overt outing of yourself as soon as you arrive in a job, I strongly
advocate a responsibility of LGBT people to be open about their
identities in the same way their straight colleagues are, e.g. when a
staff event invites partners for LGBT people to take theirs.
Unfortunately there is still a presumption that you are heterosexual
until ‘proven’ otherwise, so often it is necessary to verbally ‘come
out’ in order to be recognised as non-heterosexual (or trans, although
the issues are different here in terms of presumptions). However, what
we need to work towards is no assumptions being made and I think
the best way to do this is, where possible, for LGBT people to ‘come
out’ naturally, i.e. a colleague asks what you did at the weekend, you
answer with the truth – ‘my girlfriend and I went hiking!’