Texas teacher suspended for 'discussing her sexuality' is suing

Earlier this year, art teacher Stacy Bailey was suspended with pay by her Texas elementary school.

The decision came following a series of parental claims that she had "discussed her sexuality" with her "elementary-aged students".

Now, NBC Newshas reported that Bailey will officially take legal action and sue the Mansfield Independent School District for discrimination on the grounds of her sexuality. Despite its general rule "not to comment on employee personnel matters", the district released an official statement earlier this year which claimed Bailey was "inappropriately discussing her own sexual orientation, the sexual orientation of other artists [and] their relationship with other gay artists".

Bailey's lawyer, Jason Smith, has since issued a statement on Bailey's lawsuit:

Stacy is filing this lawsuit and taking this action in hopes of pushing Mansfield [MISD] out of the shadow of discrimination and into the sunshine of equal rights.

Further reports detail Bailey's claims that she was transferred to a secondary school as she was "not appropriate" to teach elementary students "all because of her sexual orientation and status as a lesbian." Bailey has previously been awarded 'Teacher of the Year' on two separate occasions, indicating that she's otherwise more than capable of fulfilling her job role.

The MISD has pushed back against the suit, claiming that the district has been an "inclusive, supportive environment for LGBT+ staff for decades" - as long as they don't discuss their sexuality, apparently.

An official statement claimed:

[This year], her actions in the classroom changed, which prompted her students to voice concerns to their parents. The issue at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School is whether Mrs. Bailey has followed district guidelines requiring that controversial subjects be taught in an 'impartial and objective manner'.

Teachers shall not use the classroom to transmit personal beliefs regarding political or sectarian issues.

Allegedly, the catalyst for these complaints was a 'Get to Know Your Teacher' presentation, in which Bailey showed a photograph of her "future wife".

The lawsuit claims that a parent later complained about Bailey's discussion of her sexuality, arguing that the teacher was promoting a "homosexual agenda" in the classroom.

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