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.

News

“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

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 recently advocating for a transgender high school student to be able to run for prom court. 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).
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