Gay Teacher’s Perfect Response to Homophobic Mom

A drama teacher’s response to a homophobic parent’s decision to withdraw her child from class has gone viral this week.

Michael Neri is a theater producer in Birmingham, England, and runs a drama school for kids called Talking Props. But recently, a parent decided to withdraw her child from Neri’s school because she found out the teacher is gay. “You have a strong reputation for performing arts which encouraged me to sign my children up for classes,” the mother wrote in a text message. “I have recently learned of your lifestyle and as a Christian I cannot allow my children to be influenced by unconventional ideas. It is our belief that a man should marry a woman.” A few hours after receiving that note last week, Neri wrote back a long response that he later shared on Twitter, where it has been retweeted more than 1,700 times and favorited more than 2,700 times.

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In the response, Neri explained that he was fine with this mother’s decision. “I pride my students on the respect and love they have for others and their passion for equality,” he wrote. “You would only be infringing on our family.”

Neri went on to tell the mother that his sexual orientation was unrelated to his work as a drama teacher, though he said she’d be hard-pressed to find a theater school with no gay teachers. “As far as I’m aware, my sexuality doesn’t [affect] my ability to teach, just like it wouldn’t [affect] a doctor’s ability to treat one of your children should they become unwell. I’m sure your children’s health would come first should they need emergency treatment, or would you need to check their doctor’s lifestyle prior to their life-saving operation? I wish you luck in finding an appropriate stage school that meets your needs, however from experience I find that theatre without gays is like cooking without spices (just my opinion).”

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Another local school, StageCoach, might have openings, he said, “but [their] teachers have been known to wear mixed fabrics which I’m sure you are aware is forbidden in the bible.”

In her note, the mother told Neri she was expecting her deposit back, but the teacher said he had better plans for it. “Unfortunately, deposits are non refundable but don’t worry, your deposit has been donated to Stonewall, an LGBT charity.”

Neri admits that his levelheaded but witty response didn’t come to him immediately. “I was a little shocked to receive the text. I felt a little bit, I suppose, disheartened by it and that the decision had been made solely on something that wasn’t about my professional capacity to teach,” he told Mic. “I’m not going to lie, it was brewing. I got the text early afternoon, and it took me a good couple of hours to respond back.”

But the message speaks to why Neri started Talking Props in the first place. “As a child, if I’d had something like [Talking Props], I would’ve flourished more than I ever could’ve hoped for. It’s a safe haven for people to be able to come, be creative, and be around people in a supportive environment,” he said. “When it comes down to my professionalism and my ability as a teacher, [religion] shouldn’t be an issue,” he said. “Either you believe in my ability to teach and you send your children, or you don’t.”

Judging by the outpouring of support online, most people think Neri’s excelling at his job. On Facebook, parents at the school are lauding the teacher for his talent and professionalism. “Michael, that amazing reply is why we love you! I can think of no better person to teach my child respect and the meaning of family. She has gained confidence and a whole set of new friends and support since joining Talking Props and for this I can’t thank you enough,” wrote one parent. “I am shocked Michael. You do what you do well. Glad you never change. As a Christian I give you all my support,” wrote another.

And even though Neri has lost a client through this ordeal, it sounds like school enrollment won’t suffer. Asked one mother in response to Neri’s post: “Where do I sign my kids up?”

(Top photo: Corbis Images)

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