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 Gay teachers pay a heavy price in church-run schools, writes Jade Brischke
In recent months the Anglican Church has come under fire for its stance on banning same-sex partners at school formals.
It seems that although they acknowledge gay couples do exist in these institutions, God forbid those who wish to make it public knowledge.
According to Catholic teaching, the main factor is the difference between homosexual orientation and homosexual activity. In layman’s terms, a person’s sexuality or sense of identity is not a choice, but the way they live their life is.
Clearly then, the Church feels that the best option for homosexuals is to suppress their feelings and live an unnatural life.
While the focus so far has been on students, the fact of the matter is that it is not only students who face this dilemma, but also gay teachers who are employed at these schools.
Until recently I was employed as a teacher at a Catholic school in a small Queensland city. I hid my true identity as a way of ensuring I kept my job.
But the stress of suppressing who I really am caused health problems that ranged from headaches to depression.
As a teacher you are always in the public eye and cannot ever be truly free in your personal life, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish where your professional life ends and your personal life begins.
You are constantly aware that your words and actions are being scrutinised by the public and this makes it difficult to live your life as you would like.
At the commencement of a position with a Catholic school, staff are required to sign a Code of Conduct, which states in no uncertain terms that homosexual activity is not permitted.
Is this clause discriminatory or is it something that just needs to be accepted if the person wants the job? Someone who signs it then has an obligation to uphold it, so if they disagree with the terms, then they don’t take the job.
When I informed the principal and other staff members of my sexuality, I was fully supported and told it was not an issue.
I realised that at this lower level it was acceptable, but I knew the bureaucrats in higher places would certainly have no hesitation in asking me to leave if they found out. I found it hypocritical that because the school staff liked me and valued my teaching skills that they would overlook the very rules they were supposed to be upholding.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it is discrimination that such a clause exists, but I also know that if I won’t accept it, I need to find another job. In the end, I guess I was concerned about the school’s reputation, but the main issue I had was the fact that I was not allowed to live my life the way I wanted to.
I am happy with my sexuality and have never felt ashamed of my activities, nor should I have to be. These are issues I feel strongly about and my resignation is proof of my belief that identity is something that should be celebrated and lived, rather than hidden or suppressed in order to make others feel comfortable or for the sake of reputation.
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