Being out as an LGBT person is not always a luxury afforded to teachers. Just last spring, a teacher at Waldron Mercy Academy in Merion lost her job over her same-sex marriage. Down the street, however, at Friends’ Central, there’s a different atmosphere, where a number of teachers say they’re comfortable being out.
As a Quaker institution, Friends’ Central values diversity and encourages individuals to express their true selves.
“I think the presence of difference allows FCS to more fully live the Quaker dimension of our mission and vision,” said Head of School Craig Sellers. “I think it is a fair question to ask, for instance, how we could prepare students to peacefully transform the world if we did not include, celebrate and love a wide variety of talented people in our school.”
Out middle-school teacher Anne Kenealy would agree.
“As a teacher, I want to guide students toward their most authentic selves. I understand that many situations prevent queer teachers from being out and I respect the choices that others make to separate their identities from their work,” Kenealy said. “For me personally, it’s a question of integrity: If I can’t be my most authentic self, if I can’t be whole, how can I expect students to make that attempt every day?”
Many students eagerly commented on the way out teachers affect the school’s community. An 11th-grader remarked, “Representation is very important, so having members of the LGBT community in places of authority, power and leadership has a big impact.”
The range of identities among staff allows students to engage with people who might have different worldviews or experiences. Fellow 11th-grader Julian agreed, adding, “I think it’s necessary for every community that is shaping young people in general to see a lot of different kinds of people. Any different life experience or struggle is an important one to hear about.”
Some straight students express similar opinions when asked about the influence of out teachers on the community. Another 11th-grader believes these individuals have “strictly a positive effect. It’s limited because I’m straight and cis but many people feel safer and like they have somewhere to go.”
Steve Patterson, an English teacher, believes Friends’ Central’s approach reduces the possibility of a single story about LGBT people from developing in the community.
“At FCS, there are so many out teachers, each with very different personalities and politics and lives,” Patterson said. “That variation allows people to see how different, how unique we are. It reduces the likelihood of stereotypes. Students respond to us as individuals.”
In many other environments, however, LGBT teachers say they have not felt as welcome. Courtlandt van Rooten, now a Spanish teacher at FCS, reflected on previous careers, saying, “For most of my life, I knew that if it were known that I was gay, I might very well not get the job … or keep the job. The first place I have felt truly comfortable and able to be ‘out’ has been at FCS, and it is a remarkable feeling.”
History teacher Layla Helwa described her similar experience.
“I used to work at a charter school in North Philly and I was never out there because I was scared that I would be treated differently by the administrators and I didn’t feel that it was a safe environment for someone to be out,” Helwa said. “Then I came to FCS and saw everyone was out. Before the school year starts, all the teachers get together and I saw pictures of out teachers and their partners. I could see that I could be comfortable here with who I am without losing my job.”
“I came here 18 years ago as an out teacher and knew I had found a home,” said sexuality educator and chair of the English department Al Vernacchio. “Being able to be out as one of the faculty advisors of the Gender and Sexual Orientation Alliance [our school’s GSA] is such a gift!”
Every community needs to continue to grow, and English teacher Ariel Eure says there is more to be done.
“I’d still like to see the school become more intentional about queer and trans access and representation in the school, especially for queer and trans students and teachers of color.”
Some teachers contend that being out helps them engage on a deeper level with students and colleagues.
“I got engaged over winter break, and upon my return told my class ‘what I did over my vacation,’” van Rooten said. “But the best part was the cheerful applause that I got from my class, their cheerful sharing in my happiness, not to mention the open delight of my colleagues. Being able to live and work as who I am is liberating and affirming in ways that I cannot begin to describe, but for which I give thanks every day.”
Zoe is an 11th grader at Friends’ Central School.