This Teacher Was Suspended Because She Told Students She Was Gay
By Mustafa GatollariUpdated Nov. 18 2019, 2:39 p.m. ET
Art teacher Stacy Bailey was suspended from Charlotte Anderson, a Texas elementary school teacher, after she allegedly pushed for the school's anti-discrimination laws to include language that mentioned LGBTQ students.
Administrators at the school didn't seem to respond well to Bailey's suggestions, as they placed her on administrative leave for her comments. Mansfield ISD, however claims that this wasn't the reason they let Bailey go.
No, their reasoning was somehow even worse: the school claims that she wasn't allowed to teach because she discussed her sexual orientation with her students, as if mentioning that she was gay is somehow a good enough of an excuse to remove her from her teaching position.
Here's the latest from this ongoing story. Texts show concern over #Mansfield teacher who sought #LGBTQ-inclusive language. Read full story here ➡️https://t.co/9Q8vXNI0hL pic.twitter.com/9KrjhDpJDN
— Elvia Limón (@elvialimon) March 27, 2018The trouble began for Bailey when she penned an email on August 25th to MISD Superintendent David Wright and other school board members about starting a "conversation" regarding "sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression"in the school's anti-discrimination policies.
"I think it is important that MISD starts movement towards progress now. We have many LGBTQ teachers, students, and families in this district. We deserve the right to feel protected by our district," Bailey's email read.On September 7th, Bailey also emailed counselors at Ben Barber Innovation Academy, Michelle Smith and Sarah Buckner, asking if they had a gay/straight alliance group, in an attempt for her and fellow school and faculty members to network with them.
In her correspondence, Bailey discovered that Ben Barber did have a LGBT-advocate group and its sponsor was culinary arts teacher Lisa Amoriello, who she then reached out to in an effort to figure out the best way to update Charlotte Anderson's policy language to include LGBT students.
It only took a day for Bailey to receive a message from MISD Associate Superintendent Kimberley Cantu that she was being placed on administrative leave until "an investigation was completed." The email didn't state a reason for Bailey's suspension, just that she wasn't allowed to contact any students, parents, or other staff members regarding her leave. She was also barred from entering her school's office, department, or gain access to any of the school's technology. She was effectively locked out.
Cantu's letter contained a note requiring Bailey's signature, probably to indicate her compliance with the measures. Bailey did not sign it.
Although Bailey is currently letting her lawyer, Giana Ortiz, comment on the situation, there are plenty of students, parents, and other members of her school's community who are defending their teacher. Bailey's record at the school also speaks for itself, something her lawyer brought up when speaking to Bailey's dismissal.
Congrats again to our 2016 Charlotte Anderson Teacher of the year, Ms. Stacy Bailey! #MISDOscarNight2017 #youmakeusproud @msbailey_cae pic.twitter.com/VxulHogYPH
— Ms. Clayton (@msclayton_cae) May 8, 2017MISD did confirm that Bailey was dismissed, but stresses that they don't condone discrimination against anyone regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orientation.
"[Our policy] prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against any employee on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability or any other basis prohibited by law. In other words, Mansfield ISD does not condone harassment or discrimination of any kind toward anyone."Bailey is a former teacher-of-the-year recipient, and some 40 parents and students showed up at a school board meeting to praise the 31-year-old for her dedication to the classroom and her students. Some attended the meeting with signs that read "I stand with Miss Bailey." Other students brought examples of the art work they created in Bailey's class, while parents spoke to board members and wrote emails asking that the teacher be allowed to instruct their children again.
Video of those who came to tonight’s Mansfield ISD board meeting in support of art teacher Stacy Bailey. About 8 ppl spoke to spoke to board pic.twitter.com/zpIDS74KX1
— Elvia Limón (@elvialimon) March 28, 2018Three speakers so far have asked for language that protects #LGBTQ students, parents
— Diane Smith (@dianeasmith1) March 28, 2018Words requested:"sexual orientation" "gender identity"
— Diane Smith (@dianeasmith1) March 28, 2018When people caught wind of the story, the outrage was swift.
“Stacy Bailey...emailed MISD Assistant Superintendent David Wright and several school board members Aug. 25 to "begin a conversation" about including "sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression" in the policy's language”
Then suspended. WTF.https://t.co/SyVvzb3cYD
Some thought the district's decision to suspend her simply because she mentioned her spouse was female was ridiculous.
This is absurd. I've never seen a straight teacher suspended for talking about a spouse. This is straight up discriminatory bull. https://t.co/rzAjHtRAIT
— Matthew Noe (@NoetheMatt) March 28, 2018While others thought that third graders don't need to know she is in a same-sex relationship.
Why does an art teacher feel it necessary to discuss sexual orientation with 3rd graders?
I would side with the parents complaining here. This is not age appropriate subject matter. https://t.co/XfvvdmOGV4
— Shane's Full Semi Hat-o-matic. (@oklumberman) March 28, 2018Which was met with this obvious response: why is it OK for heterosexual teachers to mention they're married?
When a teacher talks about her husband everything is fine but if a teacher DARES bring up their same sex partner, there is suddenly a question of what is "age appropriate". Being LGBT+ isnt "adult" and by promoting that stigma, you're invalidating ALL queer kids' identities https://t.co/8fMng5HHjz
— MaddieBRaps (@maddie_318) March 28, 2018It's not unheard of for an elementary school teacher to discuss the existence of her spouse, but apparently if she discusses her WIFE, it's a "disruption" to a Texas education - https://t.co/EpvXFAsmwz
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) March 28, 2018RT if your cis het teacher ever spoke about their spouse during class and never got in trouble for it. https://t.co/AJ2iKJ5XqC
—  (@hijade2madre) March 28, 2018Especially because her suspension seemingly had nothing to do with her performance as an educator.
Stacy Bailey was named 2016 Teacher of the Year. Now she's suspended for asking a question. This is unacceptable. The school board should either a) reinstate her immediately or b) resign. https://t.co/7xCFiQGkzq
— Loren S. (@txbornviking) March 12, 2018Especially because so many parents and students showed up at the board meeting to support her.
I was at the school board meeting, watching as parents teared up and cried as they spoke about this teacher. I had no idea why a teacher, who could inspire such an outpouring of support, would be on paid leave.
Now I know, and shame on you MISD. https://t.co/4ABo2DpROO
.@mansfieldisd parents, students who support art teacher, Stacy Bailey #LGBTQ #LGBT pic.twitter.com/0azoNOhXQ3
— Diane Smith (@dianeasmith1) March 28, 2018The support for Bailey is real.
I wished just one of my elementary art teachers spoke about her own sexual orientation, the sexual orientation of artists, and their relationships with other gay artists. https://t.co/fKWRpVh35P
— RJ (@RjSheedy) March 28, 2018@mansfieldisd should be concentrating on retaining top teachers, not suspending gay ones! #LGBTQ #homophobia https://t.co/rvVj5YZkbW via @nbcdfw
— Erik (@erikmoss) March 28, 2018Others started a petition to stop shaming teachers for not keeping their sexual orientation secret.
This dedicated teacher was suspended for not concealing her sexual orientation.
Do parents have a right to force teachers to pretend to be someone they aren't and pretend that differences don't exist?
Please sign the petition at the link in the article. https://t.co/M9esnBNjVD
— Charles H Norman (@dovnorman18) March 28, 2018You can check out Bailey's email chain below:
And you can learn more about Bailey's track record as a teacher and the more granular details of her suspension by checking out Dallas News' coverage of the story here.
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