Kentucky's 2022 Teacher of the Year quits profession, citing homophobia.

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/kentuckys-2022-teacher-year-quits-profession-citing-homophobia-rcna35224?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

After being openly gay for several years, Willie Carter Jr. never thought about going back into the closet once he started teaching. But during his first week as a high school English teacher in Montgomery, Kentucky, a small town 40 miles east of Lexington, a school administrator had other plans for him.

“He said, ‘You will be crucified,’” Carter, 37, recalled. “‘No one will protect you, including me.’”

Twelve years later — and shortly after he won his state’s Teacher of the Year award — Carter announced last week that he would be leaving the profession.

Carter said that after changes in his school’s administration, he was eventually able to teach openly as a gay man. However, he spent years watching school administrators try to stifle LGBTQ identities — or what he described as “death by a thousand cuts” — he said.

*snip*

[IngridsLittleAngel]

1. Sad

This country needs more great teachers, not less. To run off such a fine and brave teacher because of bigotry shows that for these bullies, their hatred is more important than "the children!" or "a better future!"

Thank you for sticking it out as long as you could, Mr. Carter. Thank you for all the lives you touched. A shame these bigots couldn't let you do your thing and let you be you.

You succeeded. They failed - you, the kids, and the system.