Today, a student came out to me, saying that she thinks she's gay. This has happened several times since I have taught here, which made me wonder why they were comfortable telling me. Turns out being a single, childless woman of my age screams "lesbian" to this particular community. I'm not. FML
phalangesenfuego tells us more.
OP here. Just to clarify, I'm not offended that people mistake me for a lesbian. What bothered me was the assumption was made based on what I feel are stereotypes of what a lesbian should be (single and childless). I do support ALL my students with whatever they come to me with, be it family issues, bullying problems, etc, and I feel privileged they feel comfortable enough to come to me with these things they are struggling with. And thank you for all the positive comments. Sometimes teaching is a thankless job, and positive support is few and far between.
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Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
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Top comments
alexjoseph5575 18
Lesbehonest, this is a great chance to give advice to the next generation!
Seabass_Chan 33
Doesn't sound like you're childless to me. Seems like you've acted as a mother to several of these students who felt more comfortable talking to you than their own families. Good on you, OP! Teens and young adults need more understanding and less being told what is and isn't right. Keep it up!
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Comments (71)
ssnow_fml 20
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
Well sleeping with a male student would certainly put the rumors to rest. I don't recommend it but it is a possibility.
heyLaddieHey 18
Oh no, people think you're gay. How awful. You could maybe turn your mind, instead, how to support the kids who trust you enough to come out to you.
writerchic85 26
I would still be honored that the kids trusted me so much to come out to me
phalangesenfuego 11
OP here. Just to clarify, I'm not offended that people mistake me for a lesbian. What bothered me was the assumption was made based on what I feel are stereotypes of what a lesbian should be (single and childless). I do support ALL my students with whatever they come to me with, be it family issues, bullying problems, etc, and I feel privileged they feel comfortable enough to come to me with these things they are struggling with. And thank you for all the positive comments. Sometimes teaching is a thankless job, and positive support is few and far between.
youdontsay123456 21
We need more people like you in this world. Bless your soul that you care about these children
Ray_of_midnight 23
Look at the bright side, evidently your students feel that you're an adult they can trust. That's really huge. And you're doing a great thing by helping them.
Seabass_Chan 33
Doesn't sound like you're childless to me. Seems like you've acted as a mother to several of these students who felt more comfortable talking to you than their own families. Good on you, OP! Teens and young adults need more understanding and less being told what is and isn't right. Keep it up!
yellowzinnias 20
This. Remember the quote from Goodbye Mr. Chips: "I thought I heard you saying it was a pity... pity I never had any children. But you're wrong. I have. Thousands of them." xx
zeffra13 31
Well, now you get a slight peek at how gay people feel when people assume they're straight.
sweetbliss3 37
what the ****, 43? it's not the same. it's a lot easier to be straight than it is to be gay. it's 2016 and there's still so much hatred and hate crimes targeting gays, depending on where you are, it's easier to pretend you're straight. unless I totally misconstrued what you're saying, I am sleep deprived.
elhombroske 4
plot twist, she really is a lesbian.
Talis99 26
Plot twist, you were so eager to make a horribly overused joke that you didn't bother to think if it would just be dumb. Wait, that wasn't a plot twist.
PeaceTurtle 17
I think it's a good thing, OP. They trust you enough to tell you. You may be the first person some of them have told.
Dauminator 6
This is what's wrong with today. This would be a whole different story if she was lesbian and kids were asking her about strait advice
gsouther 11
Are you sure they're not hitting on you? Why else would you tell somebody about your sexual orientation unless you want them to know it's an option otherwise it's really nobody else's business.
bahreaze 2
You confide in people because you feel it is a shameful secret due to societal norms. That secret is a huge burden. But sure, make it about a silly crush.
DoomedGemini 38
It can be very scary and suffocating to be unable to tell anyone, or even make you feel guilty for hiding it. Op is an adult they are encouraged to trust, correct? So it's natural if they thought op was gay they could go to her for comfort and advice. If she were actually gay she'd also be able to offer personal advice
jodyl1 5
welcome to social conditioning. yes, its a thing here. it gets worse once you're over 30, and continues to gwt worse after that. first, they think you u're gay, then a player/****, then finally a mental case. nevermind some people are just picky or struggle socially so they dont fit the stereotypical "married by 25, parent by 30" scenario. it sucks.