From ThePowerOnline.org via The Huffington Post:
Defying recent efforts to demonize and penalize openly gay teachers, Matt Tratner, a beloved teacher and guidance counselor at New York's prestigious John Bowne High School, went to work today wearing a shirt that boldly states "OUT And I'm not alone." He then posted a photo of himself wearing the shirt on Facebook with the caption
"Yes- I am OUT at my job... Yes the students like my shirt :)."The posting immediately attracted massive support, including mine. By the end of the day, Tratner changed his status on Facebook to say
A little after 3pm today, after classes were over a few teacher came over to me to tell me what they thought of my OUT SHIRT I had worn to school today... They said that they had heard all about Tratner wearing it. They asked where they could get one so they too could wear them at school- gay and straight teachers asked to have one. I was never so proud to be OUT
Tratner should be commended for what he has done. This issue is not about forcing acceptance or pushing something in someone's face. It is about standing up for yourself and those your fellow brothers and sisters. In this climate where our lgbt youth are going through so much turmoil, we need as many role models out there standing up as needed.
Hat tip to Matt Algren
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