The education system has failed queer kids all over the world. Private schools, colleges,
and universities are notorious for excluding queer kids from sports, invalidating their
gender identity, and giving more validity to heteronormativity. For example, since I was a
child, I was taught that marriage should only exist between a man and a woman, and
anyone who thought otherwise was “wrong.” Growing up in such an environment only
made me push my queerness away. Of course, going through a crisis related to one’s
gender or sexual identity is always conflicting, but experiencing that conflict in a
homophobic region made it harder for me.
It wasn’t until grade 6 that a teacher finally made me feel seen in their class; otherwise, I
was always perceived as the kid who was not doing enough to get good grades. But
having a teacher who believed in me and encouraged me to do better truly made me
feel secure and confident in myself. And that teacher was none other than my English
Teacher. She was indeed the best teacher in our school faculty, or so I believe. She
made her students feel excited about learning and encouraged them to follow their
passions equally. Similarly, my grade 10 English teacher was an incredibly humble
person who never made studying feel like a chore. He engaged his students in various
fun activities and treated them equally. It is because of him that I fell in love with reading
books. Likewise, the lecturer currently teaching me English is an outspoken feminist
who always appreciates my writing. I always find her classes exciting and lively.
Nonetheless, the point is that gravitating toward English teachers is a universal
experience that many queer kids, including myself, feel. Perhaps it’s because they are
the only allies we know of in any educational institute.
Everyone from mentally exhausted gifted kids to students who are neurodivergent,
socially awkward, and queer kids find their English teachers extremely comforting. It’s
also because the subject of English allows students to navigate their feelings through
various literary methods. Although there are few to no queer narratives and voices in
our curriculum, the inclusivity in English classes makes all students feel very warm and
welcome. In retrospect, the stereotypical pedestal that gays hold their English teachers
on is just an honorary status that expresses the love and respect we have for them.
While our schools lack spaces for LGBTQ youth, English classes often feel like a safe
place for gay kids who are both closeted and out. In conclusion, the observatory
breakdown of the relationship a queer kid has with their English teacher goes to show
how far behind the education system is in treating queer kids better.

By:

Dipta Acharya

BBS First Year, 2023