Would you mind if your school's head teacher was gay?

[seeker]

Someone started a thread on this topic a few days ago, and I was delighted at the tolerant attitudes shown. However, the thread's title didn't really say what it was about, so I'm not sure the OP got a full range of opinions. So I thought I'd try this and see what happens. Sorry to hijack your discusion, linney!

no, of course not!

Not at all, although his wife and kids might do

Lizzylou

ReallyTired - Wearing a wedding ring and having a photo of your DS is not making an issue of your sexuality. I don't think sexual preference should be kept a secret but am sometimes uncomfortable when grown ups seem to define themselves by their sexuality (yes that applies to straight people too).

I think that the notion, that our sexual preferences define who we are, contributes to the angst of puberty.

No.

How would it be relevant and how would we know anyway?

Upwind- for some of us, even talking about who is in our family would be seen as making at issue of our sexuality.
It's not about sex.

I think the angst of puberty is far worse for kids who are in love with their best friend and think it this is 'wrong'.

MI
lol @ wasting gorgeousness!

our parish priest went to see the Pet Shop Boys last yr

nuff said

No, why would it be my business?

Actually I'd be impressed that the uber fundamentalists had been conned long enough to admit someone gay

I'm a little at the 'so long as they don't bring their sexuality into the classroom' kind of comments. Because like it or not, we probably all do. I sit at work and talk about my DH and child, why shouldn't a gay person be able to do the same thing. We're not talking sex here, just normal adult relationships.

I also think it's a bit patronising to suggest that even though your sexuality may inform large parts of your life, you don't have the ability to switch off and be professional and do the job in hand.

I work with a lesbian and can't recall any occasion when her sexuality has informed her work and I'd like to think I'm the same, work is work. Of course we have a good natter about our lives but that's nothing to do with work. Same goes for a teacher. How many teachers do you know that chat to their pupils about their sex life? None I'd hope. To their colleagues yes but that has nothing to do with teaching.

Itati, you might notice when he brings his partner to the barn dance.

Or when you glance at the family photographs on his desk.

Or if you were discussing what he did on his holiday.

Or if you asked him if he was married.

Why on earth would I ask the head if they were married? Our Head is a lady and I know she is as she is called Mrs B but otherwise I can't see that it would ever feature in my thoughts.

i couldnt care less.headteachers sexuality does not effect his/her ability to do the job.

aren't people getting "sexual orientation" mixed up with "sex" ("in the classroom"??)

not at all.

personally wouldnt be bothered..however it being a catholic school then can see some people might have issues..Our priest is gay but decided to become a priest instead and fight the urges so to speak

See, I don't think people would put a caveat on the same question asked regarding heterosexuality. I think there is a bit of a thing about gay men 'flauting' their sexuality. The 'backs to the wall' thing is part of the same idea I think. As though by virtue of being the same sex, you will be irresistable to any gay man

Fallenmaddonna - if someone asked me my opinion of a headteacher's sexual predilictions I would want to know how they came to be aware of them. The teacher I mentioned earlier was straight - it does not matter - I just don't think it appropriate for that to be brought into the classroom.

It is different if word leaks out that headteacher X lives with Mr Y. I wouldn't care about that but don't think it should be made an issue.

what about if headteacher X lives with Mrs Y?

Couldn't care less

Deliberately left out the gender of headteacher X

if he lived with Mrs X and Mr Y ...then curtains would be twitching!

Charliegal - the origina thread about this was a poster findin out how te school could suport a head teacher whono longer wished to cnceal his sexuality... thnk your partners experiences could be very illuminating...and i am sorry, but not at al surprised, that she meets prejudice in her role as a teacher.

I understand what you say about the startinng poin in the qustion, as it implies, as a stand alone qustion, that there mighht be something f someone to mind - it isn't a neutrl starting point. But Iunderstand how it came about in the context of the other thread.

Your cmments about your partners experience sadly prove that MN is not representative....

Message withdrawn

None of my business. Actually, I have no idea whether ds's headmistress is straight, gay, bi or any other possible inclination. She runs a damn good school and that's all I care about.

No, not unless he was shagging the school caretaker in the bushes behind the school, and was actually also married.