Teaching While Queer: Advocacy, Community, and Resources for LGBTQ+ Educators.

Creating Safe Classrooms by Living Authentically | Ep. 0 (with Host Bryan Stanton)

Welcome to Teaching While Queer. I’m your host, Bryan Stanton (he/they), a queer theatre educator in San Antonio, Texas. This podcast was born from a simple truth — that LGBTQIA+ educators need space to share our stories, celebrate our resilience, and learn from one another.In this very first episode, I open up about my own journey — from being outed at thirteen to becoming a visible queer educator and advocate. I talk about the power of showing up authentically, the teachers who shaped me, and the students who continue to inspire me.So settle in and join me as we begin this new chapter together — one story, one classroom, and one act of courage at a time.Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.Keywords: queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive classrooms, authenticity in teaching, queer storytelling, educational equityTeaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator burnout, book bans, workplace discrimination, tokenism, doxing, and advocacy—while sharing practical strategies for building inclusive classrooms, affirming school cultures, and safer learning environments. Episodes center gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and Two-Spirit educators, with conversations on gender identity in schools, anti-bullying practices, mental health, and community care. This podcast supports educators who feel isolated and offers solidarity, tools, and hope for LGBTQ+ teachers working across K–12 and higher education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

How Global Educators Confront Queer Inclusion & Resistance | Ep. 1 (with Romain, he/him)

What does it mean to teach while queer in a country where inclusion and resistance collide? In this premiere episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) travels across the Atlantic to speak with Romain about teaching languages and advocating for inclusion in France. Together they reflect on growing up queer in a small town, finding love and security early in life, and how recent political movements in France mirror anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric in the U.S. They discuss the importance of bridging culture and language to create understanding — and why solidarity across borders matters more than ever.Listeners will learn how to:Compare queer acceptance and backlash in Europe and the U.S.Teach about identity and equity within language and culture coursesSupport students facing discrimination without overstepping boundariesRecognize how global movements against LGBTQ+ rights intersect across nationsBuild allyship and resilience in queer academic spacesRomain (he/him) is a French language educator and translator living in Valence, France. He teaches German and cultural studies at the university level and shares his journey as an openly gay teacher who brings inclusion and historical context to the classroom.Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app 💬 Subscribe for new episodes every other week 🌐 Visit teachingwhilequeer.org 📲 Follow @TeachingWhileQueerSupport the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.Resources:European Commission – Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

Finding Balance, Building Boundaries, and Creating Safe Stages — with Michael Musgrave-Perkins (he/him) | Ep. 2

"You don’t have to mine your trauma to make good art. Teach with empathy, but protect your peace.” In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (he/they) sits down with Michael Musgrave-Perkins (he/him) — theatre department chair at Grand Center Arts Academy in St. Louis, Missouri — for an honest and insightful conversation about growing up gay in the Midwest, surviving being outed as a teen, and finding strength and authenticity through theatre education.Michael shares his journey from a touring actor with the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival to becoming a full-time educator, GSA co-sponsor, and champion for queer visibility in the arts. Together, Bryan and Michael explore how personal trauma shapes compassionate teaching, why boundaries matter for both teachers and students, and how queer educators can thrive — even under the pressure of public scrutiny.Key TakeawaysThe power of theatre education to teach empathy, resilience, and “portable life skills.”Michael’s powerful story of being outed as a teen — and how that experience informs his teaching today.Why setting emotional and professional boundaries protects both teachers and students.How queer educators can model authenticity while navigating stigma, “groomer” rhetoric, and fear.The importance of knowing queer history — from the AIDS epidemic to drag culture — to build student understanding and pride.Tips for fostering inclusive, affirming school communities even in conservative environments.Resources & LinksGrand Center Arts Academy: grandcenterartsacademy.orgTeaching While Queer Website: www.teachingwhilequeer.orgEmail: teachingwhilequeerpodcast@gmail.comFollow on Instagram: @TeachingWhileQueerSupport the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-buTeaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

Faith, Fear & Finding Authenticity in the Classroom — with Dr. Jimmy Chrismon (he/him) | Ep. 3

“You can only be your authentic self when you’re safe — but even when you’re not, you can still leave glimpses of your light.” In this deeply moving episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (he/they) speaks with Dr. Jimmy Chrismon (he/him), a theatre education professor at Illinois State University, about navigating faith, fear, and authenticity as a queer educator.Jimmy shares his powerful story of growing up in a devout religious household, enduring conversion therapy, and teaching in the public school system for 17 years before he was ever able to say the words “I’m a gay teacher” out loud. Now, as a college professor mentoring the next generation of theatre teachers, he helps his students build inclusive classrooms — and redefine what it means to create truly negotiated spaces for learning.This episode is a testament to the courage it takes to live authentically and the quiet revolutions that happen when educators lead with empathy, reflection, and truth.Key TakeawaysThe long shadow of conversion therapy: how early trauma shapes queer identity in adulthood.From fear to freedom: Jimmy’s first time coming out publicly — to his college students.“Negotiated space” vs. “safe space”: a new framework for trauma-informed classrooms.How authenticity invites trust: why students value realness over perfection.Faith and queerness can coexist: finding spirituality after religious rejection.Advice for queer student teachers: how to protect your peace while showing up authentically.About the GuestDr. Jimmy Chrismon (he/him) is a theatre educator and professor at Illinois State University, where he heads the Theatre Teacher Education Program. With over 17 years in secondary education, Jimmy brings compassion, humor, and honesty to his work training future teachers. His research focuses on trauma-informed pedagogy, negotiated classroom spaces, and queer representation in the arts.He is also the host of ThedTalks: A Theatre Education Podcast, where he highlights theatre educators’ stories and shares practical classroom insights.Resources & LinksIllinois State University School of Theatre and Dance: finearts.illinoisstate.edu/theatre-danceFed Talk: A Theatre Education Podcast — fedtalkpodcast.comTeaching While Queer — Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

Affirmation Over Acceptance: Suicide Prevention & Queer Parenting | Ep. 4 (with Dr. Lulu)

“Affirmation is not just saying, ‘I accept you.’ It’s saying, ‘You are beautiful — exactly as you are.’”⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and mental health within the LGBTQIA+ community. Please listen with care.In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, host Bryan Stanton (he/they) sits down with Dr. Lulu (she/they) — a retired U.S. Air Force pediatrician, TEDx speaker, author, and parent coach — to explore how affirmation can save lives.Born and raised in Nigeria, one of Africa’s most homophobic nations, Dr. Lulu brings both medical expertise and lived experience as a queer woman and mother of a transgender daughter. Together, Bryan and Dr. Lulu unpack the difference between tolerance, acceptance, and affirmation, the colonial roots of homophobia, and the life-saving power of parental love and visibility.Dr. Lulu’s work reframes suicide prevention as a form of radical parenting and offers educators, caregivers, and allies new tools to support queer youth with compassion and courage.About the GuestDr. Lulu (she/they) — also known as The Momatrician — is a Nigerian-born, U.S.-based pediatrician, retired Air Force officer, TEDx speaker, and award-winning LGBTQIA+ advocate. She now works as a life coach specializing in parents of queer and trans youth, helping families move from fear to affirmation.A passionate storyteller, Dr. Lulu hosts The Parent Hour radio show and has delivered multiple TEDx Talks on suicide prevention, vulnerability, and rethinking the closet. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, and is a proud mother of three, including a transgender daughter.Resources & Links🌐 Dr. Lulu Official Website📻 The Parent Hour on KLMO 98.9 FM / 92.1 FM🎤 TEDx Talk: Rethinking the Closet — Inviting In vs. Coming Out📚 Invited In (upcoming book by Dr. Lulu)✉️ teachingwhilequeerpodcast@gmail.com🔗 teachingwhilequeer.org📲 Follow @TeachingWhileQueerSupport the podcast and spread the message with merch from Teaching While Queer is a podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education