I “came out” professionally for the first time when I applied for an ATA staff officer position. I was 36 years old and a teacher and school leader with more than a decade of experience. But despite everything I had going for me, I was barely out to close friends and family and was completely closeted at work.
Through tears, I told the ATA hiring committee that I finally felt safe enough to let my employer, colleagues and students know that I was queer and this was due, in no small part, to the Association’s ongoing efforts to advocate for gender diversity and inclusion. Eight years later, as I stood in my office on the seventh floor of the ATA building, I watched in shock as waves of protestors gathered across the street, hurled homophobic and transphobic slogans at my colleagues and tore down the Pride flag that was hanging on our parkade. It was a stark reminder: take nothing for granted.
Decades of hard-fought progress that made Alberta's schools safer and more welcoming for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and adults are threatened by what seem to be ever-increasing misinformation, hateful rhetoric and oppressive policy decisions. We risk losing everything we’ve gained. We not only have to stand our ground, we also need to keep pushing forward.
We do this by developing a common language and by communicating in inclusive and respectful ways. We do this by dispelling myths about how gender is taught and by prioritizing the safety and belonging of our gender-diverse students and colleagues over our own discomfort or uncertainty. We do this by working with gender- and relationship-diverse individuals to identify possible supports and by taking action.
The road ahead is challenging and not without risk, but we must work together to ensure that our classrooms, schools and communities are safe spaces where all are welcome.
About the guest editor
Dan (they/them) is an award-winning teacher who loves to mash-up subjects and influences to create engaging learning experiences for students and teachers alike. Proudly queer and neurodiverse, Dan strives to build community wherever they are whether it's in a classroom, around a campfire, or under a tent in the pouring rain.
