It's very ironic/sad that these educators are telling youth it gets better while having to be silenced/muzzled. I've thought about becoming a teacher, but the idea of not being able to be open with students is a scary thing.
i'm a bi teen in denmark and i've never been bullied and i've actually been told that people respect me for coming out and being myself. sadly a lot of gay teens haven't had it as easy as gays and bis in my area have. i feel bad for those people and admire them for standing up to intolerance
Sounds like DADT, it's obvious some teachers are going to be gay and once they start to get to know people (including their students) it will come out or at least be obvious...
@Miikaika25 teachers are responsible for upholding the values of the dominant society, inside and outside the classroom. if the dominant society does not respect the gay community then that puts teachers who are gay at risk.
@STRUTTER777U sex perversion ? you think loving someone no matter what their gender is ,is sex perversion ? Pathetic , The fact that they love someone of their same gender won't affect you or someone else.
You see ,you won't end heartbroken , you won't loose you family because you are not LGBTQ , and it wont be hard for you looking for someone to love you . Get a life
@Romaina0sama Loving is not the problem. I am all for love. However, sex is not love. You don't have to have sex with someone in order to love them. You say people who engage in homosexual behavior end up heartbroken? Maybe that is why they have a higher suicide rate, and a shorter lifespan. So by your own admission, their sexual conduct does affect them. That's what matters. You don't have to end up heartbroken. There is hope, and a way out. I have life, and I share it with the heartbroken.
@STRUTTER777U It's ignorant people like you who make have to shit on everything and anyone who is different so you have some kind of higher feeling, like your fucking better than everyone else in the world. You know what, I had a gay teacher in high-school and he had no "influence" in the way i turn out today. So what I like women and Iam a women, why should I be treated different or bashed on a the daily by you ignorant people, we love who we love.
@Smokersway Obviously you know little to nothing about me, because I get along well with those who are different, and I have done volunter work in the Third World. Kind of ironic that you displayed your ignorance of myself, while trying to call me 'ignorant'. Priceless. However, the great thing about ignorance is that there is a cure for it: information! By the way, I don't believe you should be treated poorly at all. You are the one hurling profanity here, not I. Try love instead of hate. :)
"Identical twins have identical genes. If homosexuality was a biological condition produced inescapably by the genes (e.g. eye color), then if one identical twin was homosexual, in 100% of the cases his brother would be too...But as we saw above, if one is homosexual, the other is usually not."
This video moves me to tears every time I watch it. I am also a teacher, and not in a place where I could, necessarily, lose my job for coming out... however, the fear of parental attacks is too strong for me to show the strength that you have shown. It is sad that you have to hide your faces, but I am amazed by the creative and powerful way you came up with to get the message across. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
thank you so much. i have some pretty magical teachers that have/are making my life much easier. i'm sorry for you that you live somewhere that you can't be out but i suppose you're a silent kind of activist where you are now.
dope. i owe my life to teachers like you -- fortunately i never struggled with neither my sexual nor my gender identities, because i felt comfortable enough to be out as i was in high school, and had friends who understood me. but if it weren't for teachers who inspired me, i think that i'd be a completely different person today, and i owe it all to people like you who encouraged me every step of the way, and still encourage me in my academic pursuits. thank you.
incredibly moving. It touched every feeling I could imagine, and the word I can sum it all up in is love. That is what you have given here, love. You two are so brave and amazing for doing this. Thank you for reaching out to all the kids who feel so lost in the school system. It is great for them to know there is hope.
This poor kid killed himself because he DIDN'T want the world to know that he had commited an homosexual act. Now we all know, thanks to people like you. This is wrong even by your own standards. Right?? You are exploting this child for your own gain. Shame on you!!
god dess bless you both. i was also very sad, angry, moved - and happy that you still do the work, even if you have to be underground about it. wow. thats so ... wild... i was lucky, as a bi youth in highschool in 1982-1986 i had TWO great teachers. One was a tall beautiful black fashion model who taught shakespeare, and one was a strong jewish queer-friendly man who taught history... both were incredibly intelligent & kind men that any queer youth could confide in and trust and love. thank you
Great advice: Find a teacher you trust. Great presentation. Your courage is commendable, as is your dedication to protecting the students that need you while keeping a low profile. Please keep it up and keep them alive.
I am so sorry that you are not able to live out loud-- as a long time gay-friendly educator I have always shielded my LGBTQ teens and give them the support to get through to tomorrow. I hope some day you can be yourselves or live somewhere where you are able to live freely.
In the meantime, thanks for holding the line for you LGBTQ kids.
bless you both. it makes me sad that you both have to dress in full burkah and hide your queerness during your work hours. i'm glad you're doing what you can to help your students feel supported. are there maybe queer parents (and/or supportive parents of queer students) that you can work with to build a more supportive environment?
you ladies are in a tough position. I am a teacher as well but luckily in a progressive place where there are laws in placing protecting ME/ my job from gender/sexuality discrimation.
"Trust your instincts, find a teacher you trust." Good advice in situations where being open is not an option.
this week, I saw an article/ad my company took out in the Advocate and I was quoted in the article about how it's such a relief to be out at work and not to have to worry about accidentally outing myself. Your video brought tears to my eyes, but I applaud that you take the risk to do what you love. I only hope that we eventually get to the point where you don't have to hide.
When I was in the 8th grade we had a very out and proud gay teacher and he was, by far, the most beloved teacher in the entire school. Even for you guys, as adults, I have to believe it will get better, that you'll be free to be yourselves and be treated as a human being, no better or worse than any "straight" person. To not feel afraid for your jobs because of who you love instead of how well you do your jobs.
nice share, thanks but I can't support Dan Savage who uses his platform to say women's vagina's are "disgusting meatholes" and "dirty cans of spam on the sidewalk" and continually talks about how gross women's bodies are to young girls.
he is also anti-gay towards lesbians and spreads hate and mocks them saying 'lesbians love c*ck or they get operations to become men."
he is beyond a hypocrite. these gay dudes hate women like many do, but use you to push them forward.
Awesome video. I especially was touched with the "trust your instincts." Many of us, especially youth, do not. Self-doubt complicated by feelings of isolation can impede our listening to ourselves. I'm an (straight) adult who volunteers with kids and teens; they know I'm a safe haven. Thank God they have listened to their instincts and I think word also spreads among youth about who's "cool" (in the sympathy and confidentiality sense). There ARE those of us who try to be there for LGBT kids.
I hope it gets better for everyone and KEEPS getting better. I hope in a few years time, you can re-make this video... without hiding your faces and fearing for your jobs.
What a beautiful video. Especially powerful with the signs and the silence (plus the added benefit of helping hard-of-hearing kids as well!). You guys rock. Keep at it.
This is beautiful. I live in Mexico, and i thought i was alone all through highschool, until senior when i met a gay friend. But I'm transgender, plus bisexual... so it was really hard.... THANK YOU FOR LETTING OTHERS KNOW THERE -IS- HELP IN HS, and that it really does get better. I can vouch for that myself. THANK YOU
I'm in the same both as both of these teachers. I want to help so badly but can't risk it all. I'm more influential in the classroom than jobless. Kudos to the powerful statement you two ladies have made. Kudos and respect to Dan Savage.
I thank you two so much. I'm in highschool and I'm debating whether or not I can trust a teacher. I hear all this stuff about teenagers saying they tell teachers, administrators etc. but they do nothing. I was very moved by this. Tears of joy were coming to my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This made me sad but very inspired as well. I hate that you have to "pass" as normal and can't be a full inspiration to your students by being yourselves. I've done that in the past as well and I feel like I'm just perpetuating the stereotype that different is bad. But at the same time, losing your jobs won't help students and will only make others view queers as disruptive and abnormal. So carry on :(
Tank you SO MUCH for participating in the It Gets Better Project. The way that you found to get around "speaking' out about how tough it is to be part of the LGBT culture is just amazing! This video is the most influential one I have watched and I wish social media, like YouTube was around when I was in high school. Keep up the awesome job; and thank you!
most of the other videos for this project are saying that as long as you can stick it out through high school, life will get better. Thank you for showing that even in high school, there are people who want to help life get better. There is a community to be found - unfortunately, it's just a bit harder to find. I keep my fingers crossed that one day queer teachers will be celebrated and able to teach compassion and open-mindedness openly.
I was really touched by this video and it make me realize how lucky i was because at my highschool we had more than one openly gay, queer, lesbian teacher that we could talk to you and count on for support and they didn't have to fear for their jobs.
thank you
bunnydust1 5 months ago
It's very ironic/sad that these educators are telling youth it gets better while having to be silenced/muzzled. I've thought about becoming a teacher, but the idea of not being able to be open with students is a scary thing.
WeirdAl68 7 months ago
Original...(but i like)
elles14tlw14 8 months ago
excelent video. thanks for sharing :)
virginiazapico 8 months ago
i'm a bi teen in denmark and i've never been bullied and i've actually been told that people respect me for coming out and being myself. sadly a lot of gay teens haven't had it as easy as gays and bis in my area have. i feel bad for those people and admire them for standing up to intolerance
nybotheveg 9 months ago
I love you both. I wish you both were my teachers :(
musicalsuicide17 9 months ago
I wish you were my teachers
EthanStrummer 11 months ago 4
Sounds like DADT, it's obvious some teachers are going to be gay and once they start to get to know people (including their students) it will come out or at least be obvious...
Miikaika25 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
They look like terrorists behing those masks.
They must be ashamed of what they do.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
in my town the is a lesbian couple who are out and openly gay and they are both teachers
lethalpenguin66 1 year ago
So if you are a gay teacher you will get fired? why is that? ... does it depend on where you teach?
Miikaika25 1 year ago
@Miikaika25 teachers are responsible for upholding the values of the dominant society, inside and outside the classroom. if the dominant society does not respect the gay community then that puts teachers who are gay at risk.
anic17 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Take off your masks, cowards!
I can tell you are ashamed. Stay away from innocent children.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
Hypocrite homosexual pervert priests influencing kids in the Roman Church, masked lesbians and bisexuals influencing kids in the schools.
Homeschool your kids and keep them away from masked or unmasked predators.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
@STRUTTER777U uh oh , it smells like a close-minded homophobic right there :(
Romaina0sama 1 year ago
@Romaina0sama OPEN YOUR MIND to the idea that sex perversion is wrong!
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
@STRUTTER777U sex perversion ? you think loving someone no matter what their gender is ,is sex perversion ? Pathetic , The fact that they love someone of their same gender won't affect you or someone else.
You see ,you won't end heartbroken , you won't loose you family because you are not LGBTQ , and it wont be hard for you looking for someone to love you . Get a life
Romaina0sama 1 year ago
@Romaina0sama Loving is not the problem. I am all for love. However, sex is not love. You don't have to have sex with someone in order to love them. You say people who engage in homosexual behavior end up heartbroken? Maybe that is why they have a higher suicide rate, and a shorter lifespan. So by your own admission, their sexual conduct does affect them. That's what matters. You don't have to end up heartbroken. There is hope, and a way out. I have life, and I share it with the heartbroken.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
@STRUTTER777U It's ignorant people like you who make have to shit on everything and anyone who is different so you have some kind of higher feeling, like your fucking better than everyone else in the world. You know what, I had a gay teacher in high-school and he had no "influence" in the way i turn out today. So what I like women and Iam a women, why should I be treated different or bashed on a the daily by you ignorant people, we love who we love.
Smokersway 1 year ago
@Smokersway Obviously you know little to nothing about me, because I get along well with those who are different, and I have done volunter work in the Third World. Kind of ironic that you displayed your ignorance of myself, while trying to call me 'ignorant'. Priceless. However, the great thing about ignorance is that there is a cure for it: information! By the way, I don't believe you should be treated poorly at all. You are the one hurling profanity here, not I. Try love instead of hate. :)
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Take your masks off, cowards!
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I knew the sex deviants were infiltrating the schools so they could get to our children.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"Identical twins have identical genes. If homosexuality was a biological condition produced inescapably by the genes (e.g. eye color), then if one identical twin was homosexual, in 100% of the cases his brother would be too...But as we saw above, if one is homosexual, the other is usually not."
-- N.E. Whitehead, Ph.D
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
This video is chilling because it shows how much work still needs to be done.
ana1sninja 1 year ago
im not gay but i 100% suport gay rights and i get mad and yell at the dumb kids in my high school for being so ignorant about gay rights
GitarreFuhrer 1 year ago
This video moves me to tears every time I watch it. I am also a teacher, and not in a place where I could, necessarily, lose my job for coming out... however, the fear of parental attacks is too strong for me to show the strength that you have shown. It is sad that you have to hide your faces, but I am amazed by the creative and powerful way you came up with to get the message across. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
physicself 1 year ago 4
Such, such an inspiration.
stanstan009 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hypocrite homosexual pervert priests influencing kids in the Roman Church, masked lesbians and bisexuals influencing kids in the schools.
Homeschool your kids and keep them away from masked or unmasked predators!
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I knew the sex deviants were infiltrating the schools so they could get to our children.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
thank you so much. i have some pretty magical teachers that have/are making my life much easier. i'm sorry for you that you live somewhere that you can't be out but i suppose you're a silent kind of activist where you are now.
mrPURPLEelephant123 1 year ago
dope. i owe my life to teachers like you -- fortunately i never struggled with neither my sexual nor my gender identities, because i felt comfortable enough to be out as i was in high school, and had friends who understood me. but if it weren't for teachers who inspired me, i think that i'd be a completely different person today, and i owe it all to people like you who encouraged me every step of the way, and still encourage me in my academic pursuits. thank you.
tchock 1 year ago
@tchock ... and may you both one day find the ability to be accepted as you are and not live in fear in your work environment.
tchock 1 year ago
Thank you. Thank you for being there for the kids and for your bravery at producing this.
mbuckner167 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hypocrite homosexual pervert priests influencing kids in the Roman Church, masked lesbians and bisexuals influencing kids in the schools.
Homeschool your kids and keep them away from masked or unmasked predators.
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
@STRUTTER777U Seriously...fu*k you. Or in words that you may understand better "get behind me Satan."
cm1165 1 year ago
@cm1165 Why the hostility?
STRUTTER777U 1 year ago
incredibly moving. It touched every feeling I could imagine, and the word I can sum it all up in is love. That is what you have given here, love. You two are so brave and amazing for doing this. Thank you for reaching out to all the kids who feel so lost in the school system. It is great for them to know there is hope.
kullmer22 1 year ago
that was intense. i totally look up to you
CaptianMajic 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This poor kid killed himself because he DIDN'T want the world to know that he had commited an homosexual act. Now we all know, thanks to people like you. This is wrong even by your own standards. Right?? You are exploting this child for your own gain. Shame on you!!
inkblotangel 1 year ago
Wow. wow.
bundadejacare 1 year ago
god dess bless you both. i was also very sad, angry, moved - and happy that you still do the work, even if you have to be underground about it. wow. thats so ... wild... i was lucky, as a bi youth in highschool in 1982-1986 i had TWO great teachers. One was a tall beautiful black fashion model who taught shakespeare, and one was a strong jewish queer-friendly man who taught history... both were incredibly intelligent & kind men that any queer youth could confide in and trust and love. thank you
TheAmatul 1 year ago
Great advice: Find a teacher you trust. Great presentation. Your courage is commendable, as is your dedication to protecting the students that need you while keeping a low profile. Please keep it up and keep them alive.
seandeeify 1 year ago
I am so sorry that you are not able to live out loud-- as a long time gay-friendly educator I have always shielded my LGBTQ teens and give them the support to get through to tomorrow. I hope some day you can be yourselves or live somewhere where you are able to live freely.
In the meantime, thanks for holding the line for you LGBTQ kids.
jmillam1 1 year ago 2
bless you both. it makes me sad that you both have to dress in full burkah and hide your queerness during your work hours. i'm glad you're doing what you can to help your students feel supported. are there maybe queer parents (and/or supportive parents of queer students) that you can work with to build a more supportive environment?
dckitty 1 year ago
So powerful. This is amazing and needed in so many ways.
daacsi1 1 year ago 3
"that's gay" is not hate speech. also, i hear out queers use the term "faggot" far more often than i hear straight people use it.
imxwhite 1 year ago
xxx
dagmarhofmann 1 year ago
you ladies are in a tough position. I am a teacher as well but luckily in a progressive place where there are laws in placing protecting ME/ my job from gender/sexuality discrimation.
"Trust your instincts, find a teacher you trust." Good advice in situations where being open is not an option.
pookeymongos 1 year ago 2
This was actually quite brave. I hope there are no repercussions. Thank you for sharing and caring.
yescandles 1 year ago 2
One fine day this video and others like it will be used to show how far we've come.
The day is near, that it will be thought of as "unbelievable" that careing loving indiviuals should have to live in fear for being who they are.
Beyond the imaginings of a Peaceful world, feel within yourself as if this Glorious day is here and now, for within so many it is .
We stop hating ourselves and start loving ourselves, we stop hating others and start loving others.
We Are All One.
otterz4u 1 year ago
Yeah... it's so much better that you have to hide your identity.
PureAlto 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
FAGS !!!!!! we don't need gay ass teachers teaching our children??? wtf... sick people these days
dankjeenyus 1 year ago
to the four people who disliked this: FUCK YOU.
bigpharaoh87 1 year ago 2
this week, I saw an article/ad my company took out in the Advocate and I was quoted in the article about how it's such a relief to be out at work and not to have to worry about accidentally outing myself. Your video brought tears to my eyes, but I applaud that you take the risk to do what you love. I only hope that we eventually get to the point where you don't have to hide.
momaab 1 year ago 3
I LOVE THIS!!! Thanks!
ivyrod1313 1 year ago
When I was in the 8th grade we had a very out and proud gay teacher and he was, by far, the most beloved teacher in the entire school. Even for you guys, as adults, I have to believe it will get better, that you'll be free to be yourselves and be treated as a human being, no better or worse than any "straight" person. To not feel afraid for your jobs because of who you love instead of how well you do your jobs.
KCMN 1 year ago
Comment removed
divad838 1 year ago
Someday equal rights for all will come to America. Until then, there will be pain and suffering for certain citizens. Sad.
KidWasabi 1 year ago
This is heartbreaking that ANYONE has to hide from hate and intolerance.
Open your hearts, people... because when it comes down to it, that's what we all are. Just people.
Tiggy212 1 year ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
nice share, thanks but I can't support Dan Savage who uses his platform to say women's vagina's are "disgusting meatholes" and "dirty cans of spam on the sidewalk" and continually talks about how gross women's bodies are to young girls.
he is also anti-gay towards lesbians and spreads hate and mocks them saying 'lesbians love c*ck or they get operations to become men."
he is beyond a hypocrite. these gay dudes hate women like many do, but use you to push them forward.
TruthSpeaker1010 1 year ago
it gets better!!! :)
Hotjenn 1 year ago
Awesome video. I especially was touched with the "trust your instincts." Many of us, especially youth, do not. Self-doubt complicated by feelings of isolation can impede our listening to ourselves. I'm an (straight) adult who volunteers with kids and teens; they know I'm a safe haven. Thank God they have listened to their instincts and I think word also spreads among youth about who's "cool" (in the sympathy and confidentiality sense). There ARE those of us who try to be there for LGBT kids.
compasslake 1 year ago 2
Thank you so much. This moved me to tears.
I hope it gets better for everyone and KEEPS getting better. I hope in a few years time, you can re-make this video... without hiding your faces and fearing for your jobs.
MorboKat 1 year ago
Excellent!
Great film!
marksartor 1 year ago
Thank you! Your students are lucky to wonderful teachers like you! Hugs! Hugs! Hugs! :-)
ps: I was moved to tears by your video. :-)
darrelfong 1 year ago
What a beautiful video. Especially powerful with the signs and the silence (plus the added benefit of helping hard-of-hearing kids as well!). You guys rock. Keep at it.
TheLeakyPen 1 year ago
This is wonderful. What a lovely idea. I hope there are more teachers like you out there! Well done xxx
kitrichardson 1 year ago
To the lesbian teacher on the left: I have that same bandana!
But more importantly, this video is awesome. Teachers like you are what got me through the toughest times at school.
ecpark09 1 year ago
This is beautiful. I live in Mexico, and i thought i was alone all through highschool, until senior when i met a gay friend. But I'm transgender, plus bisexual... so it was really hard.... THANK YOU FOR LETTING OTHERS KNOW THERE -IS- HELP IN HS, and that it really does get better. I can vouch for that myself. THANK YOU
akelamishari 1 year ago
Really creative. Its nice to know there are teachers that care. Thanks for the vid!
luvcoby991 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing this. Your students are so lucky to have you.
sleatersan 1 year ago
this is beautiful
vidamarcelina 1 year ago
I'm in the same both as both of these teachers. I want to help so badly but can't risk it all. I'm more influential in the classroom than jobless. Kudos to the powerful statement you two ladies have made. Kudos and respect to Dan Savage.
inkedcalf 1 year ago
I thank you two so much. I'm in highschool and I'm debating whether or not I can trust a teacher. I hear all this stuff about teenagers saying they tell teachers, administrators etc. but they do nothing. I was very moved by this. Tears of joy were coming to my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
HaiYoshi 1 year ago 2
This is so incredibly sad. I don't know what to say.
uuaschbaer 1 year ago
This made me sad but very inspired as well. I hate that you have to "pass" as normal and can't be a full inspiration to your students by being yourselves. I've done that in the past as well and I feel like I'm just perpetuating the stereotype that different is bad. But at the same time, losing your jobs won't help students and will only make others view queers as disruptive and abnormal. So carry on :(
Mel29156 1 year ago 28
This gave me chills.
Beautiful.
Thank you.
FuckOffGreen 1 year ago
Tank you SO MUCH for participating in the It Gets Better Project. The way that you found to get around "speaking' out about how tough it is to be part of the LGBT culture is just amazing! This video is the most influential one I have watched and I wish social media, like YouTube was around when I was in high school. Keep up the awesome job; and thank you!
WardenofMagick 1 year ago
most of the other videos for this project are saying that as long as you can stick it out through high school, life will get better. Thank you for showing that even in high school, there are people who want to help life get better. There is a community to be found - unfortunately, it's just a bit harder to find. I keep my fingers crossed that one day queer teachers will be celebrated and able to teach compassion and open-mindedness openly.
whenlifegetsyou 1 year ago 2
1 second ago
I was really touched by this video and it make me realize how lucky i was because at my highschool we had more than one openly gay, queer, lesbian teacher that we could talk to you and count on for support and they didn't have to fear for their jobs.
anarchyangel202 1 year ago
Thanks for putting your jobs on the line.
Very brave.
All the best, Terry
TheeTerryMiller 1 year ago 26
Good work! And great advice!
ExpieMF 1 year ago
This is great. Thanks a lot for taking initiative and doing this, both of you. [-Yet another straight American unafraid of equal rights for all!]
johneldewey 1 year ago 3