166. Queer Band Directors, Bi Erasure, and the Battle for Visibility in Rural Schools

"If other teachers can show off their families, why can’t I have a photo of my wife on my desk?"

What does authentic queer visibility really look like in schools where “everyone is welcome” can spark controversy? In this candid conversation, bisexual band director Rachel Colby shares the real-life highs and lows of being out as an LGBTQ+ teacher in rural Southwestern Virginia. We dive into the quiet (and sometimes not-so-quiet) resistance queer educators face—bi erasure, double standards about sharing our lives, and the emotional labor of creating truly inclusive classrooms for every student.

You’ll get:

• Raw, real talk about walking the “narrow road” of being openly queer in conservative school districts
• Emotional strategies for holding boundaries and building strong student relationships as an LGBTQ+ teacher
• Practical, lived examples of how to push back with courage, community, and even a little petty, “malicious compliance” pride

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re alone in the struggle—or how to survive and thrive as a queer educator—this episode is for you.

Tap play to claim your space, find your people, and keep teaching wild and queer.

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This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.

The podcast explores the challenges and successes of Queer representation in education, addressing issues such as burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the importance of advocacy in creating inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies, with a focus on supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers and gender identity in schools to combat the feeling of isolation and lack of community.

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