You are a LGBT teacher. You have many sleepless nights wondering if you should come out to your students. If this is you, tell them. Some say it is a bad idea because they do not want students to think they should be LGBT, but on the other hand some people say it is a good thing because of this. The teacher will feel better to be who they are, the students will learn to accept different people, and teachers who do not come out are more likely to see gay bullying but not help. These are some reasons that LGBT teachers need to come out to students. 

If LGBT come out to students they can feel better and more open to students, it never feels good to hide something, so for a LGBT teacher that brings more stress. Imagine 24/7 you are always hiding something from people who are close to you. That is how a LGBT teacher that does not come out will feel all day. Here is a quote from a LGBT teacher that made a writing for LGBT teachers, http://www.tolerance.org/out-at-last. “People who are not LGBT may wonder why gay men and lesbians need to announce their sexual orientation to the world. I can only answer that I don’t necessarily want to announce my sexual orientation; I just don’t want to have to hide it.” (So there you go LGBT teachers, now you know you are not alone.) That is why you should come out, we know you would feel better. This is a source you can trust because this comes from the mouth of a LGBT teacher.

Students will accept people who have chosen a new path. You are a student and you are in a class with the best teacher you have had, he/she has seemed to be uneasy lately. You go up and ask what is wrong and they say nothing. Soon after you ask the teacher gathers all the students and says he/she have an announcement. They say they are LGBT. You have no idea what to say. The room is silent. You could hear a mouse. You approach the teacher after school and tell them that no matter what they will still be the best teacher and that you are happy for them. Would you feel you learned a lesson about no matter LGBT or not people are the same? Well studies show kids do learn to accept people with this. Also if you come out it will make better educational outcomes because they feel more comfortable around LGBT people. Here is a qoute from http://www.tolerance.org/lgbt-best-practices that proves this. “Studies have shown that creating a supportive environment for LGBT students improves educational outcomes for all students, not just those who may identify as LGBT. And remember, it’s not about politics—it’s about supporting students. Any educator, regardless of his personal beliefs, can be a resource for LGBT students.” So there you go, if you want better academic results from students and would like them to accept LGBT people than come out. This is from a web site to help teachers make class rooms better so trust it.

Do you have a bully problem in your school? Well if you come out to students you will feel more comfortable to help stop gay bullying by approaching students. If a LGBT teacher does not come out they will be less likely to help with the bully problem and will just be watching as these kids get harassed and bullied. Here is some proof from http://thinkprogress.org/ to show you should come out. “The study, which surveyed 350 teachers and school principals, found that gay and lesbian teachers are less likely than their heterosexual counterparts to discipline students who engage in homophobic bullying. LGBT teachers as a whole were also less likely to challenge homophobic language or slurs when they are used in the classroom.” This is a news site so this is a place you can trust.

So now I have told you to come out but you have to do it. This is a large problem and it ends with the help of you and others, if your LGBT or not help others to come out. This will change how you teach and how you are seen by students. This is all true and you may not believe me but try and you will see.