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dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Reading an article in the Guardian
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2016584,00.html

I wondered if anyone has ever had problems because of this.

The article mentions 13 year olds being bullied. Have any of you had to deal with this? Of the top of my head I taught one adult student many years ago who was very camp and openly admitted his sexuality. Most of the class didn't have a problem, in fact he was probably the most popular member in the class. However, one middle aged bloke had a huge problem with him. I just had to make sure they were never in the same group or pair. Nowadays, I'd probably force them to work together though

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

Christ DMB, can't you talk about football or something?

Seriously though, I never allowed any kind of homophobia, racism or sexism in my classroom, but I've never had any openly gay students either. I certainly wouldn't allow a students to be ostracised due to any differences. I've actually devoted lessons to the kind of attitudes and language that is expected from them in most European polite society which covers using terms of racial abuse, how to communicate with women (some male students have really had a problem with this) as part of that we have had frank and open discussions about sexuality. I've told some students that although my job is not to educate them on matters about sexual orientation or try to change their views, certain attitudes are simply not tolerated in my classroom.

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

I find the more militant and closeted gay members of staff to be only real issue worth discussing here .

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

sandyhoney2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 189

Taught a class of male models once - the majority were gay. I didn't particularily care, though. Some interesting pair work...

heathergray · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 41

Baba Alex mentioned: "how to communicate with women (some male students have really had a problem with this)"

How could that possibly be the case!?

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

Wow, I am amazed that this kind of stuff happens in the UK!
My majority of teaching experience is in the Netherlands where, unless your school is in a socially challenged neighbourhood or out in the fields, things are very nice for homosexuals. Kids and teachers.
My last school, we had 4 or 5 homosexual teachers and also a few homosexual kids. There even was a girl who entered the school as a Brad in grade 6 but left as a Sophie in grade 12. Never bullied, no one who had a problem with it.

When I started there the kids asked me if I had a girl-friend. Made me wonder if I had "I am a dyke" printed on my forehead. Until I found out that one of my colleagues (female) was married to a woman and the other colleague was gay. Those kids just automatically German teacher=gay and did not make a big deal out of it.

After that experience it makes me a little sad when I look around here. I am sure some teachers at my school are gay and I wonder what the school would do if they found out. Can't imagine they would extend their contracts. Sad, really.

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

On the other hand those teachers are in paradise. 'Every bar in Turkey is a gay bar.' ( ex-English Fast teacher) Now in Turkey 15 years and ENJOYING himself-he especially likes Children`s Day.

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

I never said he preyed on children.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

I like children's day