This al reminds me of the Don't ask Don't tell policy in the military, which was you can be gay and in the military, you just have to pretend you are straight.

As a teacher, I have never brought up my sexuality.

However I have been asked: "Are you Married?" and other questions. Yes, I have a romantic partner and she is a big part of my life. Am I suppose to pretend I am single? Literally years ago I could be fired for being gay, and this kind of says, I can be gay as a teacher, I just have to pretend I am straight.

Last month our school had a community fundraiser. Our students, parents and teachers came. All the teachers were encouraged to bring our romantic partners, for the sake of having a larger community. It was great event. All my colleagues brought their partners. I asked my colleagues ahead of time if I could bring my girlfriend, and got a definite yes.

However, although I've never "come out" to my students and don't intend on it, it was clear as I was introducing my girlfriend to parents that I am gay.

Are we really going to start firing people for being gay? No I don't preach that I am gay, but in NH and Florida, I would literally have to pretend I am straight and hide. Say I'm not married, or say anything about them. Kids are smart, they put two and two together, and it would suck having to hide in a way I knew my heater colleagues don't. It's a great way to force some wonderful teachers, who happen to be gay, out a friend that is already desperate and in need. We don't have enough teachers, don't start pushing us out because we're queer and we have to hide to do our jobs. Our sexualities have nothing to do with our job performance and forcing us into the closet only makes teaching harder for us.