Yes. Being LGB is a protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act and for many people will form part of their cultural and social identity. The law makes it clear that you cannot be discriminated against as a member of a protected strand. Many schools encourage teachers to be role models by celebrating their particular cultural identity at work. It is also an extremely powerful way of actualizing LGB experience. People are less likely to homophobic if they know someone in their everyday life who is LG, or B. It is wise to be a member of a union and to have a group of staff who understand and support your decision to be out, as well as a clear policies in place. Being at ease with who you are is a crucial part of being an effective teacher. The school will be lucky to have effective role model, however it does not absolve the rest of the staff of from being proactive on the issues and dealing effectively with any homophobia. Don’t let people assume that you are best placed to deliver work around LGB just because you know all the angles. LGB teachers can often be the least confident at tackling homophobia, as it is might be a very personal issue. Supporting your decision to be out will enable you and your school to challenge heternormativity and heterosexism
Your decision to come out might also make it easier for others to do the same.
It is fundamental to be professional and appropriate.When children know you are out, they may ask questions. Great teachers use their own life experience to flavour their lessons and impart learned knowledge, so don’t feel pressured to shut those question down, unless you feel uncomfortable. Schools need to treat everyone equally.
In many schools when staff marry it is communicated to pupils either formally in celebrating the event or indirectly with the wearing of wedding rings or the women announcing their name change. So it would be consistent for LGB teachers to announce their civil partnership. In staffrooms when staff are talking about their personal lives it is consistent to talk about yours in the same vein. Also do not assume that when someone mentions their ‘partner’ that it necessarily be a same-sex partner. Partner is a common term used by everyone to describe a significant other.
