Frank Burger teaches for Carman- Ainsworth Schools in Flint Township, Mich. Emilly Osterling is an intervention specialist at Liberty Junior School, Liberty Township, Ohio. The two educators chair the National Education Association- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Caucus (NEA-LGBTQ Caucus).
NEA: What inspired you to get active in promoting LGBTQ rights?
Emilly: I live in Ohio where there are no blanket protections for LGBTQ individuals, and where less than 10 percent of local teacher contracts have bargained protections. I am one of the fortunate ones. My local (Lakota Education Association– Butler) bargained nondiscrimination language pertaining to sexual orientation. Yet, I was cautious in my own path of coming out at work for fear of how it may affect my employment. It was at the 2011 NEA Representative Assembly where I was introduced to the NEA-LGBTQ Caucus. I not only became a member but became involved. This is when and how my activism for the LGBTQ community began.
Frank: In 1999, my second year of teaching, a former leader of the NEA- LGBTQ Caucus inspired me to get active in promoting LGBTQ rights.
I was a young teacher and worried about being “out” in my profession. At the Michigan Education Association (MEA) Bargaining Conference that year, this person was conducting a training session. I learned at this session it was OK to be an “out educator” and that there was support.
What do you say to LGBTQ students, colleagues, and others who remain in the closet out of fear?
Emilly: Every individual’s journey is different, and they alone need to decide when they feel comfortable coming out. However, I will say that students benefit from seeing themselves emulated in their educators.
Frank: I would say: You are not alone. There are many resources and people who are available to support you. I came out to my local president who was also a UniServ director at the time. I was serving as vice president of my local. I also confided in a close teaching colleague who I was working with at our middle school. She always had my back and I could turn to her for any help.
“Students benefit from seeing themselves emulated in their educators.”
—EMILLY OSTERLING
What do you say to the loved ones of those who remain in the closet?
Emilly: I simply say: Love and accept them.
Frank: Please love them and accept them for who they are. Let them know they are valued and loved for who they are. Don’t judge them.
What’s next in your activism?
Emilly: I will continue to advocate for LGBTQ students and educators, encouraging local districts to develop gender identity and expression policies that will protect transgender and gender expansive individuals.
Frank: I plan to continue my advocacy in my local school district and at the state and national levels, electing the best school board candidates, and state and national legislators we can find. Those who believe in and support full equality for the LGBTQ community. With the current administration, we have seen an erosion of the rights in our community.
In what other ways are you involved in your Association?
Emilly: I serve on the NEA Board of Directors, the Ohio Education Association Board of Directors, Southwest Education Association Executive Committee, and as a Lakota Education Association building representative.
Frank: I serve as president of the Carman-Ainsworth Education Association. I’m also an MEA board member serving on the Executive Committee.
“There are many resources and people who are available to support you.”
—FRANK BURGER
