Anna Dietrich, a student-teacher studying at the University of Michigan, decided to come out to their class after they continued to ask her questions about her personal life.
“When students asked me today if I had a husband, I answered that I as a bisexual person, do not have a husband or a wife yet!” they tweeted.
Related: A middle school teacher reportedly told students that LGBTQ people are “sinful”
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“I envy the teachers who don’t have to hide their identity in class.”
Dietrich was upfront the fact that some weren’t happy with her sharing that information. “I got calls from 3 parents unhappy,” they added.
“I did however get one email that made it worth it,” Dietrich said, including a screenshot of the email.
“I really love your class,” the student wrote in the email. “In my other classes, I am not comfortable sharing my sexuality or pronouns and it really gets to me when people use my pronoun wrong and try to say my sexuality without even knowing it.
“And in your class, I already feel comfortable with who I am, which for me, isn’t normal, so thank you, so, so, so much.”
I envy the teachers who don’t have to hide their identity in class. When students asked me today if I had a husband, I answered that I as a bisexual person, do not have a husband or a wife yet! I got calls from 3 parents unhappy. I did however get one email that made it worth it. pic.twitter.com/CCJJZvAj3S
— Anna Dietrich (she/they) (@MsAnnaDietrich) April 13, 2021
If anyone has any similar struggles / reactions to being out and proud to students I would love to hear. Really hurting today and feeling alone in this.
— Anna Dietrich (she/they) (@MsAnnaDietrich) April 13, 2021
Still, Dietrich was “really hurting” from the backlash and felt “alone” in the ordeal.
Other educators and LGBTQ people showed her an outpouring of love and support, though, and others who have or are currently enduring the same issues around being pro-LGBTQ or out in school shared their stories.
Every comment wasn’t as understanding of her struggle, but she still takes comfort in being a “queer educator.”
“Our circle can feel small, but the love is mighty,” she said later.
I have a small pride flag in my room. Kids who have asked about it know + I've mentioned it a few times when (gently) calling out homophobia. Today a few kept using "gay" as a pejorative after I asked them to stop, and they tried to argue with me. Just 😕 Sending love 💕
— K. Coleman 🧪 (@chemwithcoleman) April 14, 2021
I'm out as trans and bi with my students. It can be trying, but those kids like in your email make it worth it! I have to remind myself: I'm being who I needed when I was their age. Feel free to DM me if you ever need to!
— Owen Bondono (@owenmakesstuff) April 13, 2021
This is SOOO awesome. Not only did you create a safe space for this student to grow into who they are, but you're shattering the bigotry & biases that many of your students were unknowingly being conditioned to have, advancing equality & inclusion with the next generation. Bravo!
— Spirit, PhD, LPC, NCC (@talk2spirit) April 14, 2021
The worst part was that I felt so alone doing it. Other teachers would say they didn't think it was appropriate to talk about/they were uncomfortable. So they'd just say, "that's inappropriate" without taking time to explain and humanize it. I had to do that as the token queer.
— Nicole Selmanie (@2seek2know) April 14, 2021
Thank you! It was a small act of simply challenging the language we use and assumptions we have. Send him my way if you can! I need some friends in the building!
— Anna Dietrich (she/they) (@MsAnnaDietrich) April 14, 2021
Sending the love back in double. It’s worth it to call it out every time. To teach the misunderstood, to protect the silently hurt, and to teach the whole how to advocate. ❤️
— Anna Dietrich (she/they) (@MsAnnaDietrich) April 14, 2021
Students are looking to make a human connection with each other, their teachers, the world. A simple no shuts down the attempt to share our humanity and learn from one another. A classroom is a community of learners, why would we answer with a simple no?
— swincat (@swincat1) April 14, 2021
Did you read the message in the photo? There in lies the answer to your question. She could have just said no. She was giving the brave answer thinking about the kids who needed to hear that answer. She was being an educator.
— Amanda Amtmanis (she/her) (@AmandaAmtmanis) April 14, 2021
Dietrich, who uses she and they pronouns, is completing their internship year at a Flint area high school. In a recent local ABC affiliate interview, they described how having an educator as First Lady of the United States in Dr. Jill Biden makes a difference to them and their students.
Dietrich said of Dr. Biden, “It’s really hopeful because I’ve never seen somebody in education so far up.”
“We definitely have to be an advocate for our students at all times,” they said. “Because often times we’re the only voice that they do have besides their parents. And often, school is the only chance they get to see where you can make a change. That’s the first place that they see there’s some difference in the world between their experiences and other peoples’ experiences.”
The article reports that “Dietrich is hoping more diverse voices will be heard with a Biden administration.”
“Our students are the voice of our nation. Our students are who are going to make change and it’s our job to help them get there,” she said.
Thank you for always being my first cheerleader in everything I encounter ❤️ https://t.co/u5EQNQvCU6
— Anna Dietrich (she/they) (@MsAnnaDietrich) April 14, 2021
