Rising to prominence as a thought leader and noted online presence after documenting his experiences transitioning as a public school teacher in conservative Southern California, FLINT DEL SOL has lent his voice for the edification of thousands in the world of queer advocacy, allyship, and social emotional pedagogy. With messaging that reaches across regions and political parties, he is an activist for connection, empathy, and nuance in a world that primarily rewards the rhetoric of division.

Foreword xi

Introduction xiii

A Final Revision xiii

The Master's House xvii

The Designated Queer xix

The Promise We Make to Ourselves xxii

Supplementary Materials xxv

Part I Why Any of This Matters 1

Chapter 1 A Brief and Recent History of the Author 3

Once a Teacher 3

The Letters After Our Names 6

Who Is Worth Listening To 8

Chapter 2 A Brief and Recent History of LGBTQ+ Issues in the Classroom 11

Finding the Beginning 11

Why Is It Always Kids? 12

Here the Whole Time 15

A Different Kind of Climate Change 18

As the Water Begins to Warm 19

The Boiling Point 21

The Bright Side 24

Chapter 3 A Brief and Not-So-Recent History of LGBTQ+ Teaching 29

Life in a Fishbowl 29

In the Beginning 31

And the Accusations Roll In 34

The Pie Heard 'Round the World 37

My Name Is Harvey Milk, and I'm Here to Recruit You 38

Queer Teachers Today 40

Chapter 4 Let's Talk Numbers 47

Finding the Numbers 47

The Kids Are All Gay 48

Checking the Facts Against the Feelings 49

The Seeds and the Soil 52

The Data Behind the Schoolhouse Door 54

But...But...the Children! 56

Part II Get Your Mind Right 61

Chapter 5 But What Can I Do on Monday? 63

Chapter 6 Taking Inventory 67

If You're Asking, You Know 67

What Are You Already Doing? 68

The Rainbow-Washed Classroom 75

Grant Me the Grace to Accept the Things I Cannot Change 79

Chapter 7 The Mental Environment 83

The Space Within the Space 83

On the Way in the Door 84

Shifting Classroom Language 86

Swerving Around the Power Struggle 89

Let's Take a Walk 93

Part III Inside the Classroom 97

Chapter 8 Classroom Policies 99

WTF Is a Safe Space? 99

For Safety or Control? 105

Setting Expectations and Evaluating Policies 107

Chapter 9 The Physical Environment 117

Check the Space 117

Flags and Signage 120

Books and Libraries 124

What Else Can I Do? 128

Chapter 10 Units and Lessons 131

Willing to Try 131

Creativity and Connection 133

Avoiding Pitfalls 135

Running an Effective Discussion 137

Bridging the Confidence Gap 139

Starting Points (by Subject) 143

Is It Worth It? 149

Part IV Beyond the Classroom 153

Chapter 11 Communicating with Families 155

A Letter to the Mother Who Called Me a Groomer 155

We Are Not Enemies 157

Considerations for Queer Families 162

Frequent Parent Questions and Concerns 164

Resources and Recommendations 168

Chapter 12 Make Your Principal Read This Chapter 171

Are You in the Arena Too? 171

Leading a Proactive vs. Reactive Campus 174

Queer Staff Protection and Management 179

Chapter 13 School Board Meetings 101 183

Why We Hate Robert's Rules 185

It's Parks and Rec, But Nothing Is Funny 188

Know the Rules, Know the Game 189

Chapter 14 LGBTFAQs 197

Quick Tips for GSAs 197

Logistical Nightmares 201

Annoying Questions 204

Acknowledgments 209

Index 211