167. If Other Teachers Get to Do It, So Can I: One Queer Band Director’s Fight for Equal Treatment

“If other teachers get to do it, why can’t I?”

Band director Rachel Colby lives this question every day as a proudly out bisexual teacher in rural Virginia. In this episode, we dive deep into the joys and risks of LGBTQ+ visibility in schools, the daily dance between honesty and self-protection, and why setting boundaries with students is an act of love—not fear.

You’ll hear:

• The real stories behind being the “first” out queer teacher for so many students, and what that responsibility feels like.
• How Rachel uses humor, food swaps, and “malicious compliance” to resist double standards and create truly affirming spaces.
• Actionable tips for queer teachers and allies on navigating bi-erasure, supporting trans students, and building resilient classroom community.

If you’re a queer educator, LGBTQ+ teacher, or ally seeking a roadmap to authenticity and resilience in education, this episode is for you.

Tap play to hear Rachel’s wisdom and join the fight for joy, justice, and visibility in every classroom.

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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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