Skip to content

One school invited me down, as two pupils had come out…

“One school invited me down, as two pupils had come out, and the headmaster didn't know what to do about it. I said, 'How many students here are gay?' and he said, 'Just these two.' Clearly not. 'How many gay members of staff have you got?' He had no idea. And this was a concerned man.” quote by Ian Mckellen
Download Open image
“One school invited me down, as two pupils had come out, and the headmaster didn't know what to do about it. I said, 'How many students here are gay?' and he said, 'Just these two.' Clearly not. 'How many gay members of staff have you got?' He had no idea. And this was a concerned man.”

Ian Mckellen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A headmaster’s ignorance about LGBTQ+ staff leads to a misguided focus on students, highlighting a lack of inclusive policies.

In simple terms: The headmaster only sees gay students, not staff, showing a narrow view.

Key Takeaway

Promote awareness of LGBTQ+ staff in schools.

Themes

inclusion education leadership

Mood

concerned reflective

Type

observational critical

When to use this quote

  • school administration
  • staff training
  • policy development
  • student support

Key Concepts

LGBTQ+ visibility institutional bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can schools better recognize and support LGBTQ+ staff?
  • What policies ensure inclusive environments for all?
A Different Perspective

The headmaster’s response may reflect broader societal denial, not just personal ignorance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Ian Mckellen

Explore all 247 Ian Mckellen quotes

More About quotes

Browse all 26,122 About quotes