Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

Can LGBTQ+ teachers truly be themselves in the classroom? Despite progress, many still face discrimination, fear, and pushback when advocating for inclusion.

In this episode of Teaching While Queer, Bryan Stanton recaps an eye-opening conversation with Greg R. Baird, a longtime educator and activist. Greg shares his personal experiences navigating the education system as a gay teacher, the resistance he faced when launching a GSA, and how he’s adapted his advocacy to keep pushing for change. If you’re a queer educator, an ally, or someone passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, representation, and real-world allyship.

In this episode, you will:

• Discover how to overcome barriers to LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools and inspire others.
• Learn practical strategies for advocating for queer students and educators—even in resistant environments.
• Understand the power of storytelling in shaping inclusive classrooms and communities.

Hit play now to hear Greg’s inspiring journey, the lessons he’s learned, and how you can make a difference in LGBTQ+ education today!

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, , transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

What does it really take to be an LGBTQ+ educator in today's world? How can teachers go from overcoming fear and bias to becoming a global advocate for allyship and inclusion.

If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t be your authentic self in your workplace, this episode is for you. We talk about the struggles LGBTQ+ educators face, the role of allyship, and how to create a more inclusive environment for both teachers and students.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how to navigate the challenges of being an LGBTQ+ educator while staying true to yourself.
• Discover actionable ways to foster allyship and create safe spaces in schools.
• Hear inspiring stories of resilience and the impact of visibility in education.

Hit play now to hear Greg’s incredible story and gain valuable insights on how to support LGBTQ+ educators and students in meaningful ways.

Queer educators are often told to stay silent about their identities—but what impact does that have on LGBTQ+ students? In this episode, we explore why visibility in education is more than just representation—it’s a lifeline.

Many queer teachers worry about speaking up due to fear of backlash, job security, or simply not knowing how to navigate difficult conversations. But when educators remain invisible, students lose essential role models and support systems. This episode uncovers why visibility matters and how educators can advocate for themselves and their students while staying true to their values.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn why queer educator visibility is crucial for LGBTQ+ students' well-being and confidence.
• Discover how to navigate fear and uncertainty while advocating for inclusive education.
• Gain actionable steps to create a safer, more affirming classroom without putting yourself at risk.

Press play now to hear why queer educators’ voices matter more than ever—and how you can be a source of hope and change in your classroom.

How can educators create truly inclusive spaces for queer and trans students? And what’s the hidden bias that might be holding them back?

In this episode, we talk with educator and author Kimm Topping (they/them) about the challenges queer youth face in schools, the impact of adultism, and why affirming spaces are essential for student success. Drawing from their own experiences and professional work, Kimm shares insights on building trust, fostering inclusivity, and combating harmful biases in education.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how to support LGBTQ+ students beyond just using inclusive language.
• Understand the role of adultism in education and why dismantling it matters.
• Discover practical strategies to create safer, more affirming classrooms for queer youth.

Hit play now to gain powerful insights on making education more inclusive and empowering for all students!

Have you ever felt unsafe online just for being who you are? If you’re a queer educator, digital harassment is a real and growing threat—but you don’t have to face it alone.

The rise of online attacks against LGBTQ+ educators is not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. From doxxing to mass reporting, these tactics can impact your mental health, career, and personal safety. In this episode, we break down exactly how to protect yourself and turn harassment into empowerment.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn the immediate steps to take if you’re targeted online, from documenting threats to securing your privacy.
• Discover mental health strategies to cope with online attacks and avoid burnout.
• Get practical advocacy tips to turn harassment into a platform for change—without putting yourself at risk.

Hit play now to learn how to stay safe, protect your peace, and keep teaching with confidence—even in the face of online hate.

Resources:

Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Digital Privacy Guide (https://ssd.eff.org/).

StopBullying.gov has detailed guides on reporting cyberbullying.