The country's long history of discrimination towards LGBT teachers could help explain why so many of these educators are afraid to come out. Many other LGBT teachers in the United States have long struggled with this same decision of whether to make their sexual orientations public-and the 'extra layer' of worries that comes with it. It was clear from the conversation that the supervisor felt students like this didn’t need any sympathy but, rather, just some 'toughening up,' Bunger said.īunger never came out to the school's leadership or any of his students during his first two years teaching. 'I worried: If I get involved, what will others think? Will they associate this with me? Is my reaction right now really about me? Or about the student? I was always processing these questions and insecurities that prevented me from speaking out.'īunger remained silent that day but later brought up the issue to his supervisor. As a gay teacher who hadn’t come out to his students or staff, he felt hamstrung. Very early in his career teaching in New York, Glenn Bunger witnessed a student getting called 'faggot' in between classes, but he hesitated to respond.
