156. When Politicians Come After Queer Educators: Navigating Safety, Censorship, and Survival

156. When Politicians Come After Queer Educators: Navigating Safety, Censorship, and Survival

Author: Bryan Stanton June 17, 2025 Duration: 43:47
Jed Dearybury faced death threats and political attacks—just for being a gay educator who spoke the truth. In this searing episode, Jed shares how being visible as a queer teacher in South Carolina put a target on his back—from right-wing Twitter mobs to local politicians who openly threatened his job and safety. Despite the harassment, Jed continues to teach, speak, and advocate with joy, humor, and relentless love for his community. Listeners will hear: How queer visibility in schools b...

Bryan Stanton (they/them) brings their experience as an award-winning educator and theatre pedagogy scholar to every conversation in Teaching While Queer: Advocacy, Community, and Resources for LGBTQ+ Educators. This isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a grounded, necessary space born from the Teaching While Queer movement, addressing the real and often unspoken challenges of existing at the crossroads of identity and the classroom. Episodes move beyond performative allyship, tackling the isolation educators can feel, the impact of restrictive policies, and the burnout that comes when institutional support is merely lip service. You'll hear from Bryan and their guests about practical strategies for survival and advocacy, fostering genuine community, and accessing resources that empower. The dialogue is unfiltered, focusing on how to maintain authenticity and resilience within educational systems. For LGBTQ+ teachers, librarians, administrators, and anyone supporting them, this podcast offers a vital blend of personal narrative, scholarly insight, and actionable solidarity, building a network of support one conversation at a time. Tune in for honest stories and tools that help navigate the complex journey of teaching as your full self.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice
Podcast Episodes
169. When the World Says "No" Queer Teachers Should Queer Everything! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
Queerness isn’t just what we are—it’s how we teach, breathe, and survive, even when the world tries to shut us down. In this solo recap, Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks Maya Gonzalez’s transformative approach to educat…
165. Affirming LGBTQ+ Students Means More than Just Surviving Right Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:26
“If we’re surpassing the safety of children to satisfy community attitudes, then we’re failing—period.” This episode of Teaching While Queer dives deep into the lived realities of queer teachers and LGBTQ+ allies fightin…