In 13 years of teaching at Alexandria City High School, English teacher Matthew Henry had never heard anyone refer to him as a “faggot.” However, recently, the high school teacher, who is gay and holds a doctorate, claims he is being verbally and physically threatened at the school he works at in Virginia.
According to the English teacher, this includes students calling him a “faggot.” He described his recent interactions with the students as “uncomfortable and unsafe.” Yet, Henry says school officials have failed to respond to the student’s behavior adequately.
In a two-and-a-half-page letter to the Alexandria School Board, Henry wrote, “I can’t recall any student ever making me feel less than because of my sexuality.” He added, “Even if their religion, culture, church, neighborhood, friends or family tells them otherwise.”
“I never thought that I would have to defend myself at my place of employment. Defend myself from the very people I have been called to educate, protect, and serve,” Henry said in his letter. “I, and other staff and students, should not be made to feel unsafe. Either through verbal or physical assault or threat thereof, at a place of employment and education.”
“Twice this year, students have used that word toward me simply because I have asked them to go to class.” He continued, “Twice within a month: November 13, 2024 and December 13, 2024. Twice now.”
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In addition, Henry wrote in his letter that he experienced the threat again. “I experienced a third instance of physical threat, although they did not use that word,” he said. Also, the high school teacher condemned his school and district’s lack of support for him.
Henry stated that on the day he wrote his letter to the school board, a student “wandering the halls” asked him about a location he was looking for within the school. However, he says when he responded, another student replied, “We ain’t talking to you, faggot.”
Henry said during one interaction, he tried to use what he called “the teachable moment strategy.” However, the situation quickly grew dangerous. A group of students surrounded him and continued to direct a derogatory term at him.
“I’m so shaken by this,” he wrote in his letter. “I am not allowed to defend myself, and my instinct is to defend both myself and others, especially LGBTQ+ students.” In addition, Henry stated that the school hallways are “an absolute nightmare.”
“The word ‘faggot’ immediately alerts me and other LGBTQ+ people that a situation is now dangerous,” he added. Despite the threats, Henry said that he loved being an educator. “I love this school, and teaching is something I think I’m good at,” he said.
“Many in this building feel the same. It saddens me that a small group of students in this school is taking that away from us and is forcing many of us to look for off-ramps.” After Henry’s letter, the school issued a reply through its Chief of School and Community Relations, Julia Burgos.
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Burgos said, “Safety is a top priority at Alexandria City Public Schools.” The statement continued, “We dedicate ourselves to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, staff, visitors, and members of our school community.”
Furthermore, Burgos added that the school strongly emphasizes adherence to its students’ conduct. “When we become aware of matters that do not align with our code of conduct,” she said. “We make sure to address them and take appropriate action with those students as warranted.”
Similarly, an anonymous parent of a former student of Henry’s called the situation “completely unacceptable.” “Every parent should feel anger; anyone who hears this should feel anger,” the parent said. “If we can’t even protect or make a teacher who’s been there as long as Henry feel safe. Then, how can we make a child feel safe?”
Virginia is governed by anti-LGBTQ+ Republican Glenn Youngkin, who was elected in part based on his support of the “parents’ rights” movement. The movement seeks to shut down racially and LGBTQ+ inclusive learning environments.
Youngkin called such inclusion a form of “woke indoctrination.” His education policies have been especially harmful to trans students. The policies force them to use bathrooms, pronouns, and names assigned to them at birth.
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