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

Sandra recognises a potential importance of coming out at work, however she has
decided not to. She felt that it would be ideal if she could be out and that by being out she
might be a role model for LGBT kids, but, she says, ‘realistically I don’t ever see it
happening’ (Transcript 5: 2). In talking to Sandra it was obvious that she recognised that
good could come of her being out at work. However, she had weighed this up against the
possible negative outcomes and decided not to. Therefore whilst at work her girlfriend
simply does not exist and her colleagues think she is single. Whilst she has taken this
measured decision, the effect this has upon her day to day life is immense. She describes
how everyday ‘there’ll be something that crops up where I have to hide it [her sexuality]
or not disclose it’ (Sandra, Transcript 5: 5) and she says it is ‘one of my biggest issues in
life…it makes my life so much more complicated’ (Transcript 5: 5).
The consequences for Sandra of feeling she cannot disclose her lesbian identity at work
are far reaching and cause issues in her relationship, she says:
…obviously your partner has got to be extremely understanding that when you go to school they
don’t exist effectively…and I know ***** thinks sometime that she’s only in half my life, because
the massive time that I spend at school they don’t know about [her], they don’t even know she
exists…So it obviously causes problems in our relationship.
(Transcript 5: 20)
Sandra feels lucky to have an understanding partner, however as regards long-term
effects she has started to look for jobs outside of teaching. In the past she has considered
coming out at work, but now she has decided that this is not an option; either she teaches
and stays closeted or she find a job where she feels comfortable being out. Sandra does
recognise that legally she cannot be forced out of teaching, but explained that if the pupils