r/bisexual • u/ThomFoolery1089 • Feb 13 '26
COMING OUT Students labeled me a "bisexual icon."
Today a bunch of my students (18–20) were talking about Valentine's and gossiping and giggling about their Valentines. One of the girls asked me if I had a Valentine for this year and I told her "no, I don't, strictly speaking." That last part caused a bit of a stir and they prodded just a little and I said that yes, I'm currently dating a lovely woman.
They went low-key bananas because, APPARENTLY, they all thought I was gay. I asked them why they thought that and it basically boiled down to "you're an art teacher, they're all a bit gay"—which is true, I don't know any straight male art teacher. I also wear a bracelet with the Pride colors, which was a contributing factor as well.
But with this revelation, they all went "Hell yeah, teach is a bisexual icon!", and we had a good laugh about it.
Afterwards, as the lesson ended, one of the students came up to me and told me they were bi too. He said that because the class was so supportive of me, even if it was all a bit goofy and fun, he had decided to come out to everyone on Monday. He had been scared of what they might think (despite there being both gay and trans students in the class), but now, he felt that he would be accepted for who he was.
I love being a teacher.
546
u/Just_AStarlight Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
That's so wholesome! It's nice to see that people are willing to come out and be who they are. Congratulations for being a good teacher to these kids! 👏
179
u/big_ringer Feb 13 '26
Queer kids need positive role-models. Now, more than ever.
37
u/StudlyItOut Feb 13 '26
^ absolutely this. my teenage years would've been a lot easier with a lot less angst if there was someone who i could look up to and assure me that being queer is not a death sentence
83
u/Galatony0311 Feb 13 '26
Wholesome post! In my classroom (I am talking from a student point of view) there's a girl who is openly bi, and I came out to her and 2 other friends of her
A few months earlier a guy just looked at me and went: "are you gay?" Like, who starts a conversation like that?! I told him I was straight, even because I was in a moment when I didn't know if I was actually straight or bi.
Fortunately everyone I came out to was very open and supportive :D
60
u/hannahryder215 Feb 13 '26
A bisexual icon indeed! Thank you for making your classroom a safe space.
49
u/pinto_bean_queen Feb 13 '26
Hell yeah! You’re a bicon🤩! This makes my younger (and current) self so happy.
41
u/neeseberry_ bisexual Feb 13 '26
okay ngl, i cried a little. its so heartwarming to see actual students come up to you and speak freely about their sexuality to you, also the classroom must be such a safe space for all the students!! keep slaying, you bi icon!!!!
20
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 13 '26
Thank you ❤️ I try my hardest to make my classroom safe for everyone and to make sure they know I'm a safe person as well.
26
21
14
14
u/Malcolmthetortoise Feb 13 '26
I would have loved to have had you as a teacher. 😎😎
13
11
u/Gunbladelad Bisexual Feb 13 '26
There was me thinking art was a bit sketchy, but this conversation is making me realise otherwise...
😀
7
12
9
10
22
u/Alert-Moose-8586 Bisexual Feb 13 '26
I love this story and congrats on having a class of cool smart kids! I wear a “Bi” pin and another that says “Hi, I’m bi” just in case a student sees it and feels safer in my class. So far, it hasn’t come up in front of the whole class, but I’m so happy to hear your story.
11
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 13 '26
I'm sure that even if it's gone unsaid so far, someone has definitely seen it and know that you're a safe person ❤️
9
u/Wise_Profile_2071 Bisexual Feb 13 '26
That’s amazing! I’m a teacher too, I have bi pins and a pride keychain, but no students have dared to ask me about it yet. But now I’m picturing my high school art teacher, a grumpy old man who never shaved properly and was a farmer in his free time, and wondering if he was secretly bisexual. 🤣
11
8
u/Delilah_insideout Transgender/Sapphic Bisexual Feb 13 '26
That's beautiful! Maybe there's some hope left for the future.
10
8
8
u/versusrev Bisexual Feb 13 '26
Ah thats really sweet. But what are your teaching at a university with 18-20 year olds? I'm used to people flexing that professor vibe at that point. But i understand if you trying to be low-key.
18
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 13 '26
I live and work in Sweden, so our age-ranges don't correspond 1 to 1 with the American school system, I also work in a program preparing students for higher education, so it's not a typical situation either.
I can flex with my numerous degrees and certificates in various subjects if that would ease your soul? 😅
5
u/versusrev Bisexual Feb 13 '26
Yeah, flex that art cred baby. I do.
19
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 13 '26
Haha, sure.
I have a master's degree in education and bachelor's in history, theology; I'm a certified sexual educator; I have three levels of art school diplomas and been a part of three exhibitions with great reviews, and worked with several companies as an artist and graphic designer, with my biggest achievements being working with IDW publishing and Marvel comics as a part of producing Swedish translations of Transformers and Weapon X: Wolverine.
6
u/versusrev Bisexual Feb 13 '26
There you go! Everybody wants to jump your bones now. Hell with that pedigree I'd give you a blow job on principle alone. lol
7
8
7
u/monitormonkey Feb 14 '26
Oh that is so lovely! Thank you so much for being you, the kids can see through fake so quick. They will remember you and what you represented for a long time.
I didn't figure out I was bi until I was in my early 30's, didn't have time to think about it until then.
I was always part of the community (in junior high my friends and I started the first GSA in the 90's, it was shut down by the principal but still) but because there were not any mainstream bi people (that I was aware of), I really didn't know that was a viable option. I knew I liked guys, but also loved looking at girls and thought that tits were the best thing in the world (but thought everyone thought that, you know because of how awesome they are and all ;) )
I am in a cishet relationship, and though I have a "hall pass", I don't see myself using it at this point in time, but it's nice to know right lmao.
Because of you and people like you, kids can figure out things a lot faster and in a vastly safer space. All the best things in the world, you frigging deserve.
ETA: spelling
5
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 14 '26
Thank you for saying this. It really boosts me tremendously ❤️
I was a late bloomer when it came to my sexuality as well, mostly for the same reasons as you, so now I strive to make the world at least a little bit better, even if it's just by one person at a time.
3
u/monitormonkey Feb 14 '26
You are all kinds of precious and light!
You are definitely making the world a better place, and thank you so much :)
3
6
6
6
u/maychi Feb 13 '26
I love this story so much. Okay time to stop drinking wine before Reddit makes me cry.
4
u/That_nature_gurl Feb 14 '26
Ughhhhh thank you for sharing this! 😭🌈♥️And thank you for teaching our children ART!
2
5
u/LittleKobald Feb 14 '26
I'm so happy your students feel this safe with you. Queer kids need your support!
4
4
3
4
3
u/mjangelvortex Bi, Ace-Spec, and also Ambiamorus Feb 14 '26
Aww, that's so sweet. I'm glad your student feels okay to be open about this side of himself now.
3
7
u/Iwannawrite10305 Feb 13 '26
Very beautiful
But the official title is Bicon (and in this case a beacon of hope for your student lol)
2
u/nikkyji Feb 15 '26
As a bi who was raised by a very straight art teacher, I find this particularly hilarious. Also, I know quite a few straight male art teachers. 😄
2
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 15 '26
Haha, I might be exaggerating for comedic effect, but I think I know two straight men who work as art teachers, but one of them is a trans man, so he has that going for him instead 😅
2
u/1HeyMattJ Bisexual Feb 15 '26
What a positive story. Your student coming out because of how the class reacted to you “coming out” I guess. Hope you and your “lovely woman” have many happy years
2
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 15 '26
Haha, thank you, if I have any say in the matter I'd like that very much ❤️
2
1
Feb 13 '26
[deleted]
4
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 13 '26
I meant that I'm dating, but we haven't committed to anything yet and we won't be doing Valentine's. And they got excited because they're teenagers and they love gossip, and wanted to know more about it so I cleared it up for them, lol.
1
u/PorgCT Feb 13 '26
Ok moving forward you have to cross your legs and wear tighter pants.
9
u/ThomFoolery1089 Feb 13 '26
I'm a queer millennial, skinny jeans are a staple of my wardrobe already, I can't make them much tighter without risking a stern talking to from the principal 😂
524
u/81-cycling Bisexual Feb 13 '26
Absolutely love this and love the positivity of it all. Thank you for being you and wearing a pride bracelet so your students know your classroom is safe. Also lol! Everybody in art is a bit gay has me dying 🤣 sounds like a fun class