In 30 Years, Much Has Changed for Gay Teacher in a Catholic School

Graham Ward-Tipping

LGBTQ+ people sometimes find it difficult  to be transparent about their sexuality or gender identity in the workplace, especially if the workplace is operated by a Catholic institution Although Graham Ward-Tipping, a math teacher at a Catholic school in England, is now “out and proud” at his job, this was not the case when he started teaching 30 years ago.

Ward-Tipping shared some of his experiences in a recent essay for the U.K.’s Independent news outlet. In  1988, Margaret Thatcher passed legislation, known as “Section 28,” that banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools. This rule meant that LGBTQ+ educational employees  were forced to censor themselves and hide their identity from their students. For Ward-Tipping, this meant “deflecting questions about a wife and children” and using the term “partner” for his husband. It also meant being thoughtful when responding to homophobic comments in the classroom. He states: 

“Each time I heard homophobic language directed at students, I had to decide how to respond. If I said something, would it open me up to further comments or questions? Would I be the only teacher to challenge it? Or should I, like my colleagues, turn a deaf ear?”

Despite the constraints, Ward-Tipping found ways to provide his students support and hope without revealing his sexuality. Only recently has he begun to realize the impact he had on his students:

“Recently, I met a former student, now working in education, who recalled how, in 2003, I had talked about the repeal of Section 28. I have no recollection of this – but she insisted it has been an important moment for her classmate. Somehow, I had offered a glimpse of hope.

“A couple of years ago, a sixth-former told me that the red ribbon I would wear on 1 December each year, to mark World Aids Day, was noticed, and that it gave them hope.”

Although Section 28 has not been in effect for over 20 years, the legislation has had lasting impacts on LGBTQ+ issues and education.  Ward-Tipping was recently warned to be careful about “promotion” of LGBTQ+ issues due to his moderation of an official school group for LGBTQ+ students. . He also sees the shadow of Section 28 in a decision last year by the Diocese of Nottingham to ban Pride celebrations in Catholic schools and limit LGBTQ+ groups for students. 

Ward-Tipping’s story shows that LGBTQ+ visibility in the classroom has lasting impacts on students, even if it goes unrecognized in the moment. Just knowing that teachers share sexual or gender identities with students is a sign of hope for LGBTQ+ youth. While the younger generation may seem more open and confident while talking about their identities, it is always important to have a support system of those who have been in similar positions. For many younger people, teachers are their support systems And sometimes vice-versa. Ward-Tipping summarized:

“Over the decades since, something has changed – the pupils themselves. They are confident about sharing their identities. Despite teachers’ reluctance to talk about themselves openly, they know there are LGBT+ staff.

“It is because of my pupils that I am now less afraid to be myself at school, to mention my husband, to support those LGBT+ young people facing difficulties or discrimination.”

—Sarah Cassidy, New Ways Ministry, February 12, 2025

For more stories, positive and negative, about LGBTQ+ people working in Catholic spaces, check out New Ways Ministry’s latest publication, Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions. The book is an anthology of 12 stories of faith, sacrifice, joy, and pain by LGBTQ+ people who have been employed by Catholic parishes and schools. For more information, click here.