As an elementary school art teacher in the Dallas, Texas area, Stacy Bailey introduced herself to her students with a “get to know your teacher” classroom presentation. The presentation included photos of her friends, dog, family members, and fiancée (now spouse), as reported by The Advocate. After the presentation, a parent complained about the image of her fiancée. Bailey was suspended from her position, assigned to another school, and nearly three years later, has been awarded a $100,000 settlement from the school district, as reported by NBC News. Why the complaint and all of this fall-out? Bailey’s fiancée, now-wife, is a woman. The district denies any wrongdoings.
The district says it received complaints from parents because Bailey was talking about her sexual orientation with children. A parent complained Bailey was “promoting the homosexual agenda,” as reported by the Texas Tribune. If you’re curious about what the picture involved, it reportedly showed Bailey and her now-wife, Julie Vasquez, in Finding Nemo costumes, making funny faces. Bailey allegedly explained Vasquez as her “future wife.” In September 2017, Bailey was placed on administrative leave.
“Why aren't straight teachers afraid to talk about their families,” Bailey stated. “Why do they feel comfortable to have a picture of their family on their desk without questioning their safety?”
"There have always been gay educators. Some of your best teachers may have been gay but too afraid to tell you,” Bailey told BuzzFeed News in a phone interview.
In 2018, after eight months of suspension, Bailey was assigned to teach at a different school in the district. Working with attorney Jason Smith, she sued the school district in federal court, alleging the district violated her constitutionally protected rights. In October 2019, Judge Sam Lindsay ruled in her favor. The settlement of $100,000 was awarded on Monday.
“This settlement is a win-win for Stacy and the educators and students in Mansfield ISD. The judge’s decision in this case sends a message to school districts all across this country: The Constitution protects gay teachers from discrimination,” Smith stated. The district will also expunge the suspension from Bailey’s record.
“All parties deny any wrongdoing or liability, but wish to resolve their disputes to avoid the time, expense, stress and other impacts of continuing litigation, which would interfere with the mission of educating the students of MISD,” Donald Williams, a spokesperson for the district, said in a statement.
Settlement money aside, there are some positive changes happening inside the school as well. The district reportedly agreed to hold a school board vote on updating its anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation, as well as counselors and human resources staff participating in mandated training on LGBTQ issues. The district will also provide Bailey with a letter of recommendation.
One out of every four LGBTQ employees report experiencing employment discrimination within the last five years, as reported by Out & Equal. Close to one out of 10 report leaving jobs because of the unwelcoming environment.
As Daily Kos has previously covered, marriage equality was a major win, but it’s not the end of the struggle for full equality and protections. For example, a professor in Arizona sued the state after he was denied healthcare coverage because of his gender identity. One lesbian mom alleged that her workplace refused to promote her because she didn’t dress in “gender appropriate” clothing. A police officer in Missouri was awarded a $10 million settlement after allegedly being told to “tone down his gayness” in order to get a promotion.
"If you are a school district that thinks you can bully a gay teacher out of their job,” Baily stated, “I hope you remember my name and I hope you think twice.” Bailey says she will donate $10,000 of her settlement to an organization helping LGBTQ youth in schools.
