INTO rights for straight teachers

The recognition by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation of the lesbian, gay and bisexual teachers group provides a stark contrast with the attitudes which formerly prevailed, as the following anecdote will illustrate.

During a formal consultation with INTO officials to discuss a dispute between school management and myself in 1999, I was quizzed by an executive member of the union as to whether I was married to the lady with whom I was then living. Despite the intrusive and pointless nature of the query, I obligingly provided a truthful response. (My answer, “No“, prompted raised eyebrows from the questioner).

What chance we will ever see an INTO support system for straight teachers, single, married or cohabiting? Don’t hold your breath — that group may eventually constitute a minority of the organisation’s membership, currently 38,000 across 32 counties.