Who Has the Most to Lose if Trump Pushes Teachers Back Into the Closet? Your Child.

Alice, a high school English teacher in southwestern Ohio, made the difficult decision to leave her career as an educator in 2024. She did so in part due to her sexuality and the hostile environment it created for her in her conservative district. Alice had initially embraced her identity as a teacher but the 2024 election saw her suspended for discussing banned books in her classroom.

Parents and community members, emboldened by the political climate, targeted her identity, doxxing her and accusing her of grooming students because she was gay. Alice scaled back how visibly queer she was at work, removing personal items from her classroom and censoring her curriculum to avoid teaching books by gay authors. She kept only a small pride flag as a symbol of acceptance and defiance.

Now aiming to start a family of her own, Alice decided that her safety came before her students' education. Alice's story is far from unique. A 2023 study by the Trevor Project found that LGBTQ students without openly gay teachers are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and even contemplate or attempt suicide. However, teachers like Alice can serve as a crucial lifeline for LGBTQ students.

Currently, the Trump administration is rolling back protections for transgender students under a misinterpreted Title IX, potentially undermining the safety and rights of students. This move, while eroding protections for trans students, demonstrates a lack of regard for the overall well-being of students and schools, argues Shiwali Patel, senior director of education justice at the National Women’s Law Center.