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Gerry Crane had hit his stride. A talented high school music teacher, he was loved by students and parents—lauded as one of the best teachers at his school. Gerry had reconciled his conservative religious upbringing with his identity as a gay man, finding an affirming spiritual home in a local church. He enjoyed a close circle of loving friends and had found the love of his life. In October 1995, Gerry and his partner exchanged vows in a private commitment ceremony. 

By the time Gerry returned to work the following week, word had spread that he had married a man. The once loved teacher was vilified. Parents removed their children from his classes. Most of his colleagues ostracized him. The school board publicly declared that “individuals who espouse homosexuality do not constitute proper role models as teachers” and pledged to investigate and monitor Gerry. Ministers and churches joined the fray, proclaiming contrasting views about Christianity and homosexuality. As these events unfolded under the glare of the local and national media, Gerry’s life became agonizing.

Disturbing and deeply moving, Private Love, Public School recounts the true story of what happened when members of a midwestern community demanded that their religious beliefs be imposed on a public school—and the school followed suit.

Book Reviews

“Yared rigorously shares the details of Crane’s struggle to defend his personal life and his courageous efforts to stand up to the school’s many attempts to force him to resign…In presenting Crane’s inspiring story, the author skillfully depicts the culture of a time when personal protests and supportive communities joined forces against discrimination, paving the way for activists to earn more rights for LGBTQ+ citizens everywhere... the moving book serves as a significant contribution to the history of protests that individuals have waged to improve the lives of all LGBTQ+ people. An important and touching account of a community’s struggles against LGBTQ+ discrimination.” – Kirkus Reviews

"Written in a well crafted documentary style with passion and compassion, Private Love, Public School fills in all three dimensions of a story that goes far beyond the headlines. Christine A. Yared demonstrates how we are all diminished whenever any one of us is demeaned, persecuted, scapegoated, and in the case of Gerry Crane—a beloved and highly talented teacher—also turned into a pariah by an ignorant and intolerant society. Gerry's story is one of trials, defeats, betrayals, and of hope abused, but also one of courage against seemingly insurmountable odds and a victory of the human spirit. It is a call to action and a reminder that we must remain forever vigilant. It is a must read for all educators and others who work to make the United States a more perfect union." – Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst

News

​ReChoice Pod with Joe Pellerito (Season 2, Episode 61), March 25, 2021.  To listen, click here.
The WGVU Morning Show with Shelley Irwin, January 29, 2021​.  To listen, click here.
“SCOTUS ruling 25-years too late for ousted west Michigan teacher” - Barton Deiters, WOOD TV, NBC affiliate
​“Gay teacher: Gerry Crane's story” - Between the Lines, Carol Tanis
“Story of gay high school teacher" - Stateside with Cynthia Canty, Michigan Radio interview

Yared, Christine A. “Where Are the Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Teachers?” Human Rights, American Bar Association, 24, No. 3 (Summer 1997): 22-24. (cited in report prepared by Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, for U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor during hearings for The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009). ​

Author

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Author Christine Yared
Christine A. Yared is an attorney, writer, educator, and activist. For over thirty years Christine’s work has centered on LGBTQ+ legal, political, and social issues. Christine has taught about and fought against discrimination based on LGBTQ+ identity, gender, race, ethnicity, and against sexual harassment. Her community activism includes serving as the former president of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community Network of West Michigan and on the board of GLSEN Grand Rapids. Her cases and advocacy have been covered by numerous media outlets. She resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Forward by Jay Kaplan

Jay Kaplan has been the staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan’s LGBT Project since its founding in 2001. He has worked on cases including challenging undercover sting operations targeting gay men, fighting Michigan’s constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying, defending the validity of second parent adoptions granted in Michigan, and the recent Supreme Court case decision in Bostock, holding that LGBT people are protected against employment discrimination. Jay was honored with the 2006 Unsung Hero Award from the Michigan State Bar and the 2010 Virginia Uribe Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association (NEA).