Case Study

“Role Model”

You are an openly gay, white, male teacher. The vice-principal of your school, who is also a white male, calls you into his office. His assistant, another white male, is also present. The vice-principal tells you that young African American males have a weak self-image and that you’re being openly gay hurts their gender development.

• Have you ever received messages similar to this, directly or indirectly, regarding your capacity as a role model for students?

• How does this case leverage other kinds of prejudice while perpetrating homophobia?

• How have you responded, or might you respond, to similar instances?