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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMissouri teacher resigns after school tells him to remove Pride flag
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https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/missouri-teacher-resigns-school-tells-remove-pride-flag-rcna1959
A Missouri teacher resigned last week after administrators in his school district told him he had to take down his Pride flag and that he couldnt discuss human sexuality or sexual preference at school.
John M. Wallis, 22, who taught speech, theater and world mythology, said he hung a rainbow Pride flag in his classroom at Neosho Junior High School on the first day of school to create a welcoming environment for all students and he said students noticed.
I had, on the first day, about five students that came up to me and thanked me, he said. They said: Thank you for having the flag up. I wouldnt know where else to go.
But just two days later, on Aug. 26, Wallis said, he was called into a meeting with administrators, who told him that a parent had called and expressed concern that Wallis would potentially teach their child to be gay.
*snip*
nykym
(3,063 posts)but that parent is teaching their kid to hate!
riversedge
(69,721 posts)education should be addressing ALL students. damn. it is 2021!!!
............He has since filed a complaint with the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights alleging that he faced employment discrimination due to his sexual orientation. Cummins declined comment further about the complaint.
During his first meeting with school administrators, Wallis said, one told him that the schools LGBTQ students know theyre supported, but he added: If that was the case, I wouldnt have had students thank me, because they didnt know where else to go. So it was very clear to me that this district, this school, was not a place where they felt safe, but for them to see that flag in the classroom, they instantly knew that my classroom was an environment where they could learn and where they could feel safe.
Now, Wallis said, he plans to move to St. Louis, where he hopes to be a speech and debate coach, but he doesnt plan to teach K-12 school anymore.
I dont want people thinking I hate my district. I grew up there. I love it so much, but there are very clear issues, and public education is meant to serve all of the public, he said. And if we arent doing that by protecting LGBTQ+ educators and students, then we arent doing what public education should be doing.
NotASurfer
(2,138 posts)Can't find that in the article in a once-over, pure speculation on my part.
And I don't see anything about that school district prohibiting other teachers from displaying pictures of their spouses or wearing wedding rings, clearly signaling their sexuality to their students.
Indeed, if that's how they feel, I humbly suggest they adopt some unisex formless garb for all the faculty and students, something like a burka, to entirely minimize any suggestion of any sexuality or gender identity
Response to NotASurfer (Reply #3)
pinkstarburst This message was self-deleted by its author.
NotASurfer
(2,138 posts)Should have included the part I was responding to
Cummins asked Wallis to sign a letter that prohibited him from discussing topics related to LGBTQ people in the classroom.
The letter, shared with NBC News, said that if Wallis was unable to present the curriculum in a manner that keeps your personal agenda on sexuality out of your narrative and the classroom discussions, we will ultimately terminate your employment.
It added, To clarify this further, there will be no references to sexuality or gender displayed in your classroom, your instruction and classroom conversations will stay clear of discussions regarding human sexuality and/or sexual preference, and any research or assignments given should not require a topic related to the above.
So no references to sexuality or gender or human sexual preference. Struck me as...is hypocritical the word? We disagree with who you are and are not ok with it. I just flipped it orthogonally in my mind and went "Hey..."
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)Last edited Sat Sep 11, 2021, 03:03 AM - Edit history (1)
They do not attempt suicide at the estimated rate of 1 every 45 seconds (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2021/03/11/estimate-of-how-often-lgbtq-youth-attempt-suicide-in-the-u-s/). For the most part - to the extent there is any anti-Christian discrimination - they grow up with parents who have the same life experiences - and who will not disown them for "coming out" as Christian.
The two are not at all comparable. LGBT teens desperately need to be able to identify safe spaces and safe people. I have two (now adult) "foster" kids, both of whom had suicide ideation, and one of whom attempted it because their families did not accept them and they had nowhere to turn. Fortunately I was out at school, at least to my fellow teachers, who pointed me in the direction of the second one before she got to the level of despair to actually attempt suicide.
Ensuring that LGBT students have safe spaces and people to turn to is every bit as essential to education as ensuring kids have food in their bellies, aftercare, sports, and all sorts of other things that are not strictly part of the curriculum.
Your position is the equivalent of declaring that since racial discrimination is now illegal, our posture should be that all lives matter. The fact that we have made great strides and that discrimination against LGBT individuals is a lot closer to illegal does not instantaneously change the reality for LGBT teens - or even LGBT adults.
Irish_Dem
(45,626 posts)I would love to take his world mythology class!
Mr.Bill
(24,103 posts)He'll make more money there, too.
xmas74
(29,658 posts)I've been there and can't think of anything to recommend.