Teacher wants student removed from class after parents call him 'disgusting groomer.'

Teachers have their hands full just dealing with the kids in the classroom. But what happens when the parents are far more of a handful?

When a teacher was targeted with homophobic harrassment by a student's parents, he came to Reddit to ask for advice. *Trigger warning: homophobia*

'WIBTA (Would I be the A-hole) for requesting a child be removed from my class due to his parents?'

GayTeacherman writes:

I am an art teacher at a school in a small town, recently I welcomed a new student to the class, he had previously been homeschooled but had begged his parents to let him go to normal school with his friends. He's a great kid, he has already fit right in with the class and he does really great work.

My only issue with him has been that he does not ask to leave the classroom, if he needs a bathroom he just leaves. I'm not the strict 'everything needs to be my way' kind of teacher, but administration has a very strict policy for students outside of classrooms during class periods.

I asked his parents to come in so we could discuss it, to try to get them to help me figure out a way to get him to follow this rule. They arrived and seemed like fine enough people, but then saw my photo on my desk of myself (28m) and my husband (31m) they asked who it was and I was honest, it has never been an issue before.

They later called the school to report me for 'inappropriate behavior in the classroom'. Mind you I do not talk about my husband in class, I am there to teach, not preach lol.

Administration is definitely with me on this, but honestly they have started sending some really rude emails to my school provided account and I would like to honor their wishes that their child not be 'exposed' to my 'disgusting lifestyle'.

I may be the a-hole here because as good of a student as he is, I just no longer feel comfortable with him in my class. He loves art class. And there are no other art teachers at the school so he'd be removed from the course entirely, which I know isn't fair to him.

But it also is not fair to me to be called things like groomer, and accused of working in a school to 'corrupt innocent minds with [my] filth' Also, they have requested I be fired and replaced.

What do you think? Is OP taking this out on an innocent child, or does OP have the right to a safe workplace?

Here's how Reddit weighed in:

One-Awareness3671 says:

NTA (Not the a-hole), I’d also want to distance myself from such parents. Unfortunately, the only person who will really be affected by their madness is their child. And I don’t see how having a picture of yourself with your husband is so wrong. Unless you’re naked on a bed with him.

ParsimoniousSalad writes:

This is something for the school administration to handle. You should not have to put up with this kind of harassment. They need to make it stop one way or another. Your school and maybe the other parents need to have your back here. If they are already making a public issue of it, you might want to get police involved too.

billwrtr suggests:

Since the initial issue was the boy walking out of class when he needs to pee, just ignore this behavior. Let the administration deal with it if/when it comes up. In the mean time, just teach the kid like everyone else. And good luck with your new school next year. (btw, this is a great e.g. of why home schooling ain't so hot in my not so humble opinion; kids need to learn the social skills of being in a classroom).

To which OP responds:

If he is injured or goes missing during my class it falls on me, so no.

RoyalTechnique thinks:

ESH (Everyone sucks here). Getting students to ask to use the bathroom is extreme and it was unwarranted to get parents involved for this. The parents suck for being rude in your emails. You are a school teacher you can't just 'remove' a student from your class. Don't punish kids for their parents.

Wonderful-Matter4274 shares:

The school, the board and the union have access to lawyers. You need to get this dealt with. Also harassment is a crime so you need to go to the cops, if you're genuinely concerned for your safety you need the cops to tell them to leave you alone.

And OP replies (horrifyingly):

The local sheriff (closest thing we have) is on record as hating gay people so much he wishes he could execute them via dragging.

yeahipostedthat goes further:

Do you have a concealed or open carry permit? That'll protect you good. Invite the PTA over for a BBQ. Everyone loves BBQ. Get them on your side. I fail to see how you think having the student removed is going to help with any of these concerns you have? The parents would still have it out for you in this scenario.

To read the full comments and OP's responses, here's the full story.

Afterward, OP added to his original post:

Gonna talk to a lawyer, but also we have talked it over and decided to move after the school year, going to go somewhere a bit bluer, thanks everyone!