Gay People Still Subject to Workplace Harrassment

As an elementary school art teacher in the Dallas, Texas area, Stacy Bailey introduced herself to her students with a “get to know your teacher” classroom presentation.  The presentation included photos of her friends, dog, family members, and fiancée (now spouse), as reported by according to reports.

After the presentation, a parent complained about the image of her fiancée.  Bailey was suspended from her position-- and after eight months of suspension, she was assigned to teach at a different school in the district.  Bailey sued the school district in federal court, alleging the district violated her constitutionally protected rights.  A judge ruled in her favor, which led to a $100,000 settlement, as reported by NBC News. Why did the parent complain and kick off all this nonsense?  Bailey’s fiancée, now-wife, is a woman

The school district, which denies all wrongdoing, says it received complaints from parents because Bailey was talking about her sexual orientation with children. A parent complained Bailey was “promoting the homosexual agenda,” as reported by the Texas Tribune.  If you’re curious about what the picture involved, it reportedly showed Bailey and her now-wife, Julie Vasquez, in Finding Nemo costumes, making funny faces.  Bailey allegedly referred to Vasquez as her “future wife.”

“Why aren't straight teachers afraid to talk about their families,” Bailey stated. “Why do they feel comfortable to have a picture of their family on their desk without questioning their safety?  There have always been gay educators. Some of your best teachers may have been gay but too afraid to tell you,” Bailey told BuzzFeed News in an interview.

Settlement money aside, there are some positive changes happening inside the school as well. The district reportedly agreed to hold a school board vote on updating its anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation, as well as counselors and human resources staff participating in mandated training on LGBTQ issues. The district will also provide Bailey with a letter of recommendation.

And yet (in 2020, incredibly)  it is still legal to be fired from your job for being gay in 17 states-- North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, and, yes-- Texas.