It is always nice to see ridiculously bigoted people get put in their place by the people they are prejudiced against – and this is no exception.
Michael Neri, a 26-year-old drama teacher from Kidderminster was this week informed by the mother of two of his students that him being gay somehow means he can’t teach her children.
The un-named mother withdrew her kids from Michael’s class when she found out about his ‘lifestyle’. As if that wasn’t enough the tight-fisted woman also asked him to refund her deposit.
She texted Michael to say:
I have recently learned of your lifestyle and as a Christian I cannot allow my children to be influenced by unconventional ideas. It is our belief that a man should marry a woman.
Although upset by the decision, Michael took the high road, replying:
I was disappointed to hear this, I pride my students on the respect and love they have for others and their passion for equality. As far as I’m aware my sexuality doesn’t affect my ability to teach, just like it wouldn’t affect a doctor’s ability to treat one of your children.
In an inspired parting shot, Michael, who set up the Home of Talking Props Theatre School in 2014, informed the mother that her deposit was ‘non-refundable’ and he had already donated to LGBT charity StoneWall.
Michael, who hasn’t heard back from the mother, says all children are welcome to his drama school and if the mother changes her mind then her children are more than welcome to attend his classes.
Fair play to Michael for handling the situation with dignity but to be brutally honest, if this mother doesn’t want her children to be influenced by ‘unconventional ideas’ she sounds like a bit of a fascist nutcase.
