It wasn't in front of the main door, it was in front of the door to the adjoining room. I returned to my room, and found an odd note on the floor. We met downstairs and were treated to a quick service of burgers and a few beers. It was nearly 9 at night when we checked in, and we agreed on a quick dinner at the bar, because an early day was ahead. A few colleagues were with me, but on different floors. It had been a long flight, and long time getting to the hotel.
Gerhold went on to promise he won’t leave teaching entirely because of this situation, stressing that his sexual identity has “nothing to do with” his career and love for music. “I wasn’t the first gay man the church has done this to,” he continued. “And I won’t be the last because the church doesn’t want to listen to understand my story or background.” In speaking to the Dispatch in an interview, Gerhold said the school doesn’t see his sexual orientation as “involuntary” and instead views sexuality as a choice. Gerhold took the pastor’s advice and resigned the same day-only to later have the school fight him on unemployment benefits. What else, sadly, is not surprising? According to the former teacher, the same day his information was leaked against his will, the school pastor (who also serves as a member of the school board) suggested he resign instead of being fired at the next meeting. But at a private, religious school, it’s not surprising. He also says he was instructed not to come out to students. He also alleges he told the school he was gay when he was hired the previous summer and the school simply suggested he stay closeted and “not pursue a relationship” while employed. Though Gerhold told the outlet the school already knew he was gay, he says the school placed him on administrative leave immediately following the leak.Īccording to Gerhold, he went to his employer when he began being blackmailed back in January. According to the music teacher, personal pics and other information were taken from his cell phone and posted to the Valley Lutheran High School Facebook page. Matthew Gerhold, an openly gay music teacher based in Iowa, told the Iowa Capitol Dispatch he was forced to resign from his job at a private Christian school after he was blackmailed over his sexual orientation.
LGBTQ+ people-and especially those who live with more than one marginalized identity, like trans sex workers and queer people of color-have always faced structural barriers thanks to conservatives (and, at times, Democrats as well), but the recent push in anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is a decided step into the extreme. As Daily Kos continues to cover, Republicans are more than happy to mobilize their voter base against LGBTQ+ folks leading up to midterm elections.