Being a teacher Quote by Thom Gunn
“It was difficult being a teacher and out of the closet in the '50s. By the time I retired, the English department was proud of having a gay poet of a certain minor fame. It was a very satisfactory change!”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Oral History, 1990s, discussing academic life
Being openly gay as a teacher in the 1950s was hard, but over time acceptance grew and the department celebrated a gay poet’s modest fame, leading to personal satisfaction
In simple terms: Acceptance grew over time, rewarding authenticity
Key Takeaway
Embrace authenticity, seek supportive communities
Themes
identity
acceptance
career
LGBTQ+
Mood
reflective
hopeful
proud
Type
personal
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching in conservative era
- comingcoming out at work
- celebrating LGBTQ+ achievements
- mentor LGBTQ+ students
Key Concepts
social change
visibility
professional fulfillment
Questions to Reflect On
- How did personal authenticity affect professional relationships?
- What can institutions do to foster inclusion?
A Different Perspective
Progress can be slow and may face institutional resistance
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![“As a teenager, I had to struggle alone to learn about myself and what it meant to be gay. Now for [48] years I've had the satisfaction of working with other gay people all across the country to get the bigots off our backs, to oil the closet door hinges, to change prejudiced hearts and minds, and…” quote by Barbara Gittings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f22/barbara-gittings-60378_bigots_as-a-teenager-i-had-to-struggle-alone-to_2896022.jpg)
![“And she [Eleanor Roosevelt]loves being a star. And she loves being a teacher and a leader and a mentor and a big friend. Also, she's tall. She's one of the tallest girls in the school. And she's an athlete. And she writes many years later, at the end of her life, she writes that the happiest day…” quote by Blanche Wiesen Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d59/blanche-wiesen-cook-13340_athlete_and-she-eleanor-roosevelt-loves-being-a_1156436.jpg)