Queering Education: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Teaching, Queer Pedagogy, and Real Classroom Practice

Bryan Stanton

Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast about LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, and building authentic, affirming classrooms. Hosted by Bryan Stanton, the show offers practical strategies for educators navigating real challenges in today’s classrooms—connecting theory to practice through conversations, storytelling, and actionable tools.. Each episode centers the lived experiences of queer educators and how they show up for their students, even in systems that weren’t built for them. Whether you’re a K–12 teacher, higher education faculty member, or school leader, you’ll find actionable ways to create affirming learning environments for LGBTQ students and beyond. Through solo episodes and conversations with educators, researchers, and advocates, Queering Education connects theory to practice—covering topics like queer curriculum, equity in education, classroom culture, and navigating policy and resistance in schools. If you’re asking:  How do I support LGBTQ students right now?  What does inclusive teaching actually look like in practice?  How do I show up authentically as an educator?  You’re in the right place. This is Queering Education, a Teaching While Queer podcast.

  1. 1d ago

    I Became the Teacher I Never Saw | Ep. 207 (with Joe Chianakas)

    What does it mean to be the teacher you needed when you were young? In this episode of Queering Education, Bryan Stanton talks with educator and author Joe Chianakas about LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer visibility, and why representation remains essential in both K–12 and higher education. Drawing on more than 25 years in education, Joe reflects on his journey from a closeted high school teacher to an openly queer professor. Together, Bryan and Joe explore queer pedagogy, community building, mentorship, and the impact that visible LGBTQ educators can have on students searching for belonging and possibility. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why queer visibility still matters in classrooms today  How LGBTQ educators help students imagine a future for themselves  The unique role community colleges play in educational access and inclusion  What authentic representation looks like beyond performative diversity efforts  How educators can create safer, more inclusive classrooms  Why community remains a critical part of student success and belonging This conversation is for K–12 teachers, higher education faculty, school leaders, and anyone committed to creating more inclusive classrooms where students can see themselves reflected, valued, and supported. Follow, share, and help bring more voices into the conversation about LGBTQ education and belonging. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    47 min

  2. Jun 4

    “Was I Supportive Enough to Queer Students?” The Question That Changed One Teacher’s Career | Ep. 206 (with Sue Granzella)

    When we talk about LGBTQ inclusive teaching, many educators assume meaningful support requires a major initiative. Sue Granzella’s story suggests something different: inclusive classrooms are often built through small, visible acts of care, consistency, and courage. In this conversation, we explore queer pedagogy, classroom inclusion, allyship, and what educators can do to better support LGBTQ students and colleagues. After retiring from more than three decades in Title I schools, Sue began documenting how teachers and librarians are navigating today’s culture wars. From conversations about drag story hour protests to stories of educators facing harassment for supporting LGBTQ youth, this episode examines what authentic allyship looks like in practice—and why visibility still matters. In this episode, you'll learn:  How one former student changed Sue’s approach to LGBTQ inclusion  Why small signals of safety can have a lasting impact on students  What educators shared about teaching during today’s political climate  How allies can support LGBTQ students without placing the burden on queer educators  The role books, storytelling, and representation play in creating belonging  Why community remains one of the strongest forms of resistance Whether you teach in K–12 schools, higher education, or community settings, this conversation offers practical insights on building inclusive classrooms where students and educators can show up authentically. Follow, share, and subscribe to Queering Education to help more educators create schools rooted in belonging, safety, and equity. Purchase "Pushed to the Edge" on Sue's website: http://www.suegranzella.com/ Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    41 min

  3. May 7

    We Refuse to Disappear: Pushing Back Against Anti-Queer Rhetoric in Education | Ep. 205 (with sj Miller)

    Host Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with agender educator, sj Miller (none) to discuss ways to support students navigating their identities and socialization. This episode dives into LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, and the realities of building inclusive classrooms in today’s policy climate. Through lived experience and classroom practice, we explore what it actually means to show up for queer and trans students when systems aren’t built for them. From navigating anti-trans legislation to redefining what classroom inclusion looks like, this conversation centers real educator strategies—not theory. It’s about how teachers are protecting students, pushing back, and creating spaces of belonging even when policies say otherwise. In this episode, you’ll learn:  How educators practice “acts of refusal” to protect LGBTQ students  What queer pedagogy looks like in real classrooms—not just theory  How anti-trans education policy impacts day-to-day teaching  Ways to support students navigating identity, safety, and visibility  Why understanding the law is critical for inclusive teaching If you’re teaching right now, this is the work. Follow, share, and keep showing up for your students. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    40 min

  4. Apr 30

    I Don’t Want Your Kid to Be Gay—Here’s What I Actually Want | Ep. 204 (with Christian Shearhod)

    What does LGBTQ inclusive teaching actually look like in real classrooms—not theory, not policy, but day-to-day practice? This episode explores how queer pedagogy and inclusive teaching show up through kindness, boundaries, and honest conversations with students. Bryan Stanton sits down with educator Christian Shearhod to talk about what it means to create inclusive classrooms in a time when even basic respect feels politicized. From teaching consent and boundaries to navigating parent pressure and online backlash, this conversation stays grounded in what students actually need. In this episode, you’ll learn:  How to teach LGBTQ inclusion through everyday SEL—not just “big lessons”  Why kindness toward LGBTQ students becomes controversial—and how to respond  Practical ways to teach consent and boundaries without overcomplicating it  How to handle parent pushback while protecting classroom culture  Why queer educators are more essential than ever right now If you’re navigating classroom inclusion, student safety, or showing up authentically as an educator, this one will stay with you. Follow, share, and bring what resonates back to your students. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    33 min

  5. Apr 23

    Safe Space Stickers Aren’t Enough: The Truth About Allyship in Classrooms | Ep. 203 (with Shelby Hall Denney)

    What does LGBTQ inclusive teaching actually look like beyond posters and policies? This episode digs into the real work of building inclusive classrooms through queer pedagogy, lived experience, and practical strategies educators can use right now. Bryan sits down with Shelby Hall Denney from PFLAG NYC’s Safe Schools program to unpack what it means to move from performative allyship to meaningful classroom inclusion. From navigating policy confusion to supporting LGBTQ students through authentic representation, this conversation stays grounded in the realities educators face every day. In this episode, you’ll learn:  How to move from “safe space” signals to real, actionable allyship  Why curiosity over judgment is key in difficult conversations  What inclusive teaching looks like across grade levels  How policy (and lack of clarity) impacts classroom practice  Why representation matters more than one-off “identity lessons”  How queer educators can sustain themselves while doing this work This is for educators who want to show up fully—for their students and themselves. Follow, share, and keep building classrooms where everyone belongs. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    35 min

  6. Apr 16

    The Quiet Power of Just Showing Up as a Queer Teacher | Ep. 202 (with Hill Werth)

    This episode dives into LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, and what it really means to create inclusive classrooms—not through curriculum alone, but through presence. Featuring trans educator Hill Werth, this conversation explores how identity, visibility, and authenticity shape student experiences in powerful ways. We get into the realities of teaching while trans, navigating different education systems, and how simply existing as a queer educator can shift classroom culture. This isn’t theory—it’s lived experience, from safety and policy differences to the emotional labor of being visible in education spaces. In this episode, you’ll learn:  How LGBTQ inclusive teaching shows up without explicit curriculum  Why teacher identity alone can impact classroom inclusion  The difference between U.S. and Canadian approaches to equity in schools  How to navigate visibility, fear, and online backlash as an educator  What real allyship and support look like at the school and system level If you’re building inclusive classrooms or trying to show up more authentically in your teaching, this one stays with you.  Follow, share, and keep this conversation going. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    39 min

  7. Apr 9

    Start with Kindness: How Queer Educators Build Inclusive College Classrooms

    In this episode of Queering Education, Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Emilia (she/her), a graduate teaching assistant and first-year PhD student at the University of California Davis, to talk about discovering your teaching identity while navigating queerness, accessibility, and classroom culture. Emilia reflects on her journey from the U.S. South to a more affirming academic space, and how that shift shaped her approach to teaching. Together, they explore what it means to build classrooms rooted in kindness, trauma-informed practices, and genuine inclusion—not just as theory, but as daily practice. In this episode, you’ll learn: How small accessibility choices (like captions) can transform learning for everyone What trauma-informed pedagogy looks like in real classrooms Why kindness—not just “niceness”—matters in student interactions How to foster vulnerability and creativity in arts classrooms Ways to build connection and community, even in short academic terms If this conversation resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share with an educator who needs this reminder: you’re not alone in this work. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    36 min

  8. Apr 2

    How Queer Teachers Teach Inclusivity When They're Not Sure What They're Allowed To Say | Ep. 200 (with Bryan Stanton)

    In this solo episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) walks through what inclusive teaching actually looks like when policies feel vague, pressure is real, and every classroom decision carries weight. This isn’t theory—it’s what you can do tomorrow to support students while staying grounded in your professional role. If you’ve ever found yourself editing your language, second-guessing your curriculum, or wondering what might come back to you later, this episode offers a clear, practical path forward rooted in design, consistency, and educator reality. In this episode, you’ll learn: Simple language shifts that reduce barriers without drawing attentionHow to include diverse identities in curriculum without making it “a thing”Ways to design classroom structures that build belonging by defaultWhat consistent responses to harmful language can look like in real timeA strategy for applying policies evenly to protect both you and your studentsIf this episode resonates, consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with another educator who needs support right now. Support the show Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices. This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community. Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me. Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education

    18 min
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About

Queering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast about LGBTQ inclusive teaching, queer pedagogy, and building authentic, affirming classrooms. Hosted by Bryan Stanton, the show offers practical strategies for educators navigating real challenges in today’s classrooms—connecting theory to practice through conversations, storytelling, and actionable tools.. Each episode centers the lived experiences of queer educators and how they show up for their students, even in systems that weren’t built for them. Whether you’re a K–12 teacher, higher education faculty member, or school leader, you’ll find actionable ways to create affirming learning environments for LGBTQ students and beyond. Through solo episodes and conversations with educators, researchers, and advocates, Queering Education connects theory to practice—covering topics like queer curriculum, equity in education, classroom culture, and navigating policy and resistance in schools. If you’re asking:  How do I support LGBTQ students right now?  What does inclusive teaching actually look like in practice?  How do I show up authentically as an educator?  You’re in the right place. This is Queering Education, a Teaching While Queer podcast.

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