November 23, 2015
Gay Teacher Posts Fantastic Response to Mother Who Pulled Kids From Class
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A Facebook post from a gay drama teacher is going viral for his perfect response to a mother who said she removed her kids from his production of "Rent" over his "lifestyle."
Michael Neri, a 26-year-old drama teacher from Kidderminster, England, took to Facebook earlier this month and posted a screen shot of a text exchange between himself and an anonymous mother, who not only pulled her children from Neri's class, but also demanded her money back.
She wrote:
Hi Michael. Following our chat this week I have decided that [name redacted] and [name redacted] will not be attending class on Monday. You have a strong reputation for performing arts which encouraged me to sign my children up for classes. I have recently learned of your lifestyle and as a Christian I cannot allow my children to be influence by unconventional idea. It is our belief that a man should marry a woman. I look forward to receiving my deposit which you may post to me via cheque. Regards [name redacted]
But Neri had a perfect response to the anti-gay mother, who apparently must not know that "Rent" is about AIDS. Before sending his reply, he told The Metro he was so surprised by the message, he to read the mother's text twice.
"I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it was still a hurtful thing to receive," Neri told the newspaper.
In his text response, the teacher wrote:
Hi [Redacted],
I would be lying if I said I was disappointed to hear this. I pride my students on the respect and love they have for others and their passion for equality. You would only be infringing on our family. As far as I'm aware, my sexuality doesn't effect my ability to teach, just like it wouldn't effect a doctor's ability to treat one of your children should they become unwell.
I'm sure your children's health would come first should they need emergency treatment, or would you need to check their doctors lifestyle prior to their life saving operation? I wish you luck in finding an appropriate stage school that meets your needs, however from experience I find that theatre without gays is like cooking without spices (just my opinion). I hear StageCoach are enrolling but their teachers have been known to wear mixed fabrics which I'm sure you are aware is forbidden in the bible (Leviticus 19:19).
Please feel free to come see our Musical 'Happy Days,' confetti will be used in the finale but please rest assure this is not an attempt to corrupt your Christian lifestyle. We just love glitter.
Unfortunately deposits are non refundable but don't worry, your deposit has been donated to StoneWall, an LGBT charity. Regards Michael
Neri said he's happy to take the children back at Home of Talking Props Theatre School but he felt he had to stand up for himself.
"I certainly don't blame them for the way their mother thinks," he told Metro.
As of this writing, the Facebook post, which was posted by the theater school, has over 650 shares and 972 likes.
