A Study of Gay and Lesbian Teachers

Abstract

This study summarized a survey of 97 homosexual individuals who were currently teaching or who had been teachers. The focus of the survey was to gain insight into the experiences of such individuals in the public schools. It was found that 25% of the respondents had left teaching; a little more than half of this group left at least partially because of their sexual preference. About 82% were out of the closet to at least one person while teaching; nearly half of those who were "out" had chosen another teacher in whom to confide. Of those who chose someone in whom to confide, 70% reported a positive reaction from that individual. The author's conclusion is that an individual's decision to become a teacher, stay in teaching, and to "come out of the closet" is necessarily highly individual and very complex.

The shifting landscape of LGBT organizational research

“…For example, jobs that involved contact with young people, particularly K-12 and preschool children, were long identified as particularly problematic for both gay men and lesbians (Olson, 1987). Even in U.S. states that did not explicitly ban sexual minorities from teaching in the public schools, gay and lesbian educators indicated that they felt threatened by stereotypes that associated gay men, and to a lesser extent lesbians, with sexual molestation.…”

“…Others anticipated moral panic from parents and others about "recruiting" young people into the gay subculture (Burgoon et al, 1989;Ferfolja, 2009;Griffin, 1991;Harbeck, 1991;Kissen, 1996;Olson, 1987). One consequence was particularly high rates of concealment among gay and lesbian K-12 teachers, and continuing underrepresentation in the field as a whole (Baumle, Compton, & Poston, 2009, p. 164).…”

Stigma and disclosure: Implications for coming out of the closet

“…Of even greater concern, disclosing one's sexual orientation may translate into job and housing discrimination (Ragins & Cornwell, 2001). Although specific statistics have been difficult to gather, mounting evidence suggest that gays and lesbians suffer employment discrimination (Jennings, 1994;Olson, 1987;Weaver v Nebo School District, 1998). A similar pattern has been found for people with mental illness.…”

Contextual Factors Affecting Quality of Work Life and Career Attitudes of Gay Men

“…Many past studies indicate that sexual minorities experience all forms of discrimination including termination, harassment, violence and loss of career opportunities (Driscoll et al 1996;Hall 1986;Levin 1984;Olson 1987). As stated above, some organizations are gay-friendlier than others, and, as a result, gays and lesbians suffer different degrees of discrimination in the workplace (Pichler 2007).…”

“…First, the decision to limit the scope of the research to gay men was based on the lack of research on the career issues faced this minority group (Croteau 1996;Lonborg and Phillips 1996). Most of the research examining the relationship between sexual identity and career development focuses on lesbians (Boatwright et al 1996;Driscoll et al 1996;Hall 1986;Olson 1987). The primary reason underpinning this research focus is the belief that lesbians face various issues in their career: exploring sexuality, intimate relationships, social networks and changing family relationships (Fassinger 1995).…”