Story about the Teacher Learns A Lesson: Coming Out In Class

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=137368356&m=137388067


When? In 1991
Who? John Byrne, 56year old, an English teacher.
What? Coming out
Where? In class where he taught
Why? He just wanted to be himself.
How? He went marched and bring it up to student.

John Byrne, who is an English teacher coming out in class.

Byrne was very strict in class because he was afraid his students would to find out he was gay. As he was anxious about his gay character would be learned. It made him live with alarm.

He lived in the shadows, couldn’t help kids with heart and didn’t have his identify. He didn’t want to live like that anymore; he just wanted to be himself.

For that reason, he decided to come out to his 10^th graders.

Then, he used marching in gay parades that helped him to bring it up naturally in front of kids.

When he talked about he was gay to kids, they were compassionate. They realized that he was anxious and they helped him along.

From then on, he had a better life. It made him a better teacher.
Finally, two years later, the kids asked him to be their graduation speaker.
Here he said, and I quote, "And I talked to the parents about how proud they should be of their children, for having taught me and helped me through a really difficult time in my life. It was a wonderful turning point."


I listened this redio 4times and reason why I chose this redio is because I have bunch of gay friends. Also, I wonder who was so brave, and I think this story is very hopeful.
His speak the truth of his heart is so impressed me.