126. How To Help Your LGBTQ+ Students Find Their Voice—Despite Backlash

Teaching While Queer: Advocacy For LGBTQ Folks In Schools & Education To Live & Work As Your Authentic Self

What happens when schools push LGBTQ+ voices into the shadows? What does it mean to fight for inclusion when even educators face discrimination?

For over 26 years, Chris Cannella (he/him) has navigated the challenges of being an openly gay teacher and union leader, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in schools. From being pushed out of coaching to standing up against censorship of queer identities, his journey sheds light on the uphill battle for inclusion in education.

In this episode, you will:

• Gain practical insight into navigating a conservative school setting.
• Learn how educators can create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students—without putting their careers at risk.
• Understand the real impact of anti-LGBTQ+ policies in schools and what can be done to fight back.

Tune in now to hear an unfiltered conversation about the realities of being an LGBTQ+ educator, the fight for student inclusion, and what it takes to create change in today’s schools.

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, , transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

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