I know this is the "happy" thread about daily life and such, but I did read this article just today on MSNBC...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39584217/ns/local_news-portland_or/
...and I know I preach to the choir here, but the article did rub me the wrong way. I do fully realise the need to watch what one says around naturally inquisitive children especially for teaching professionals, and that there are always "more diplomatic" and guarded ways of saying things that could otherwise be very blunt, but at the same time where does honesty and sincerity end and evasive fabrication begin? And at what age are children not allowed to know about such things?
If the man in question is true about who he is, I think his initial replies regarding his marital status, and his further explanations were sincere. I am not entirely sure he stated them with the intention of giving the children a "lesson in awareness of a social issue" and asking them to take a stand on it--I for certain could easily see myself saying the same exact thing.
I keep trying to step back and see it from the perspective of a parent who might wish to talk to their children on their own about the nature of preference and marriage and their right to have that discussion on their own terms, but the student teacher has the right to be who he is also, and the child's question didn't have anything to do with what was being taught. I do worry that gay and lesbian teachers in that district are being asked to "keep hush" about who they are as a result.
EDIT: LOL *cues Oumura-bump to get the thread going again* >.>