A Croydon teacher is receiving praise from his students and from all over the world after he made the decision to reveal he was gay in a school assembly.
While training to be at teacher, Daniel Gray was told not to tell his pupils he was gay because “you don’t want to give them any more ammunition.”
He kept it quiet throughout his first job, telling colleagues about his sexuality but never the students at the school.
Daniel Gray, pictured, told his students he was gay in an assembly about LGBT history month
But since joining the Harris Academy, in South Norwood, the 32-year-old made a nerve wracking decision tell more than 1,000 pupils in a school assembly – and the result has made shockwaves.
He said: “Since becoming a visible role model for LGBT, the response I have had has been overwhelming, and I’ve realised just how important it is to be visible.
“Kids were coming up to me, giving me high-fives, and since that day I’ve had so many people get in touch to thank me.
I’ve had more than 800 messages from people not just in Croydon but from all over the world.
“The Harris Academy is really leading the way with this, and we hope other schools follow suit.”
The assembly, which was held as part of LGBT history month, Mr Gray said is only a small part of what the school is doing to promote diversity and celebrate LGBT rights.
Corridors and classrooms are lined with rainbow flags and messages of support on posters for LGBT people are posted on notice boards and put up in windows.
Mr Gray said each class, across all subjects, has at one point held a lesson dedicated to LGBT history month.
On his life as a school pupil, Mr Gray said he was bullied and called homophobic names.
He added: “Teachers aren’t here to talk about their personal lives, but all it takes is just one person to say ‘it’s Okay’.
“The floodgates are now open for the kids and the way students at the school have dealt with it is incredible.”
Got a story? Email sean.morrison@london.newsquest.co.uk or call the newsroom on 0208 722 6363
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel