A secondary-school English teacher is challenging harmful stereotypes by banning queer autistic students from coming out to her.
Ms. Shure, 37, who wears black eyeliner and a burgundy pinafore dress, has been overrun by queer pupils breaking down in her classroom during her lunch hour.
“I just want to eat my pasta pot in peace,” Shure admitted.
“There’s a harmful trope around English teachers being the ones to deal with sexuality,” she explained. “Just because I have a poster of Gatsby and Nick Carraway on my store cupboard doesn’t mean a thing.”
“I hope, in that respect, I can be a force for change.”
“It’s been several students a week.” Shure explained. “Lucas Fletcher, year 11. He’s not even gay. He just wanted to have the moment.”
As we were wrapping up, a snivelling year eight appeared at the door of Shure’s classroom.
Shure added: “Oh love! Come and sit down.”
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