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Christine A. Yared
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Private Love, Public School: Gay Teacher Under Fire Kindle Edition

by A Yared, Christine (Author), Jay Kaplan (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
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Gerry Crane had hit his stride. A talented high school music teacher, he was loved by students and parents-lauded as one of the best teachers at his school. Gerry had reconciled his conservative religious upbringing with his identity as a gay man, finding an affirming spiritual home in a local church. He enjoyed a close circle of loving friends and had found the love of his life. In October 1995, Gerry and his partner exchanged vows in a private commitment ceremony.


By the time Gerry returned to work the following week, word had spread that he had married a man. The once loved teacher was vilified. Parents removed their children from his classes. Most of his colleagues ostracized him. The school board publicly declared that "individuals who espouse homosexuality do not constitute proper role models as teachers" and pledged to investigate and monitor Gerry. Ministers and churches joined the fray, proclaiming contrasting views about Christianity and homosexuality. As these events unfolded under the glare of the local and national media, Gerry's life became agonizing.


Disturbing and deeply moving, Private Love, Public School recounts the true story of what happened when members of a midwestern community demanded that their religious beliefs be imposed on a public school-and the school followed suit.

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  1. Print length
    262 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Penning History Press, LLC
  5. Publication date
    December 24, 2020
  6. File size
    3000 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Yared rigorously shares the details of Crane's struggle to defend his personal life and his courageous efforts to stand up to the school's many attempts to force him to resign...In presenting Crane's inspiring story, the author skillfully depicts the culture of a time when personal protests and supportive communities joined forces against discrimination, paving the way for activists to earn more rights for LGBTQ+ citizens everywhere...the moving book serves as a significant contribution to the history of protests that individuals have waged to improve the lives of all LGBTQ+ people. An important and touching account of a community's struggles against LGBTQ+ discrimination."- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Jay Kaplan has been the staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan's LGBT Project since its founding in 2001. Jay was one of the ACLU attorneys who represented Aimee Stephens, a transgender woman, whose case resulted in the 2020 landmark decision, Bostock v Clayton County, which prohibits employment discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Jay was honored with the 2006 Unsung Hero Award from the Michigan State Bar and the 2010 Virginia Uribe Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association (NEA).

Christine A. Yared is an attorney, writer, educator, and activist. For over thirty years Christine's work has centered on LGBTQ+ legal, political, and social issues. Christine has taught about and fought against discrimination based on LGBTQ+ identity, gender, race, ethnicity, and against sexual harassment. Her cases and advocacy have been covered by numerous media outlets. She resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QXJWCJP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penning History Press, LLC; 1st edition (December 24, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 24, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3000 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Christine A. Yared

Christine A. Yared

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Christine A. Yared is an attorney, writer, educator, and activist. For over thirty years Christine’s work has centered on LGBTQ+ legal, political, and social issues. Christine has taught about and fought against discrimination based on LGBTQ+ identity, gender, race, ethnicity, and against sexual harassment. Her cases and advocacy have been covered by numerous media outlets.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
43 global ratings
Was it the gay teacher who was the improper role model, or the school board? You decide!
5 Stars
Was it the gay teacher who was the improper role model, or the school board? You decide!
What a GREAT read!!! As a person who lived through this story, the author did a fantastic job with the details and emotions.In this real life, small town Public School with Christian values, Christine captures the devastating truth of how an incredible music teacher’s life was turned upside down because simply, he was gay.Although I know the ending I held close hoping it would be different. (I won’t ruin it)This book is for everyone!!! Students, parents, teachers, and all other walks of life!
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Top reviews from the United States

Hedda Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Important social issue A must read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
Well researched. Takes a hard look at hate and prejudice. Close mindedness of many schools. Social effects of being gay and a teacher.
2 people found this helpful
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Zoe Lima
5.0 out of 5 stars A very moving story
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
The book recounts the deeply moving and disturbing true story of Gerry Crane, a talented high school music teacher in west Michigan whose life took a tragic turn in the 1995-96 school year. Authored by Christine Yared, this book sheds light on the appalling events that unfolded when a midwestern community demanded the imposition of their religious beliefs on a public school, ultimately leading to the vilification and expulsion of a beloved teacher due to his sexual orientation.

The book skillfully captures the cultural and social landscape of the time, showcasing the intersection of religious beliefs, homophobia, and the legal environment. Yared's meticulous research and documentation through footnotes contribute to preserving Crane's story for future audiences and historians, urging readers to be voices for others and stand against discrimination.

The narrative is emotionally charged, revealing the toll on Crane's mental and physical health as he faced relentless pressure to resign. The tragic outcome of Crane's life, marked by a heart attack just six months after resigning, underscores the devastating impact of discrimination and hate.

"Private Love, Public School" serves as an important and touching account of a community's struggles against LGBTQ+ discrimination, offering insight into a dark chapter in history. Christine Yared's narrative not only honors Gerry Crane's memory but also contributes to the ongoing conversation about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, urging readers to recognize and confront injustice.
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Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars A critical book for now and for always
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023
As an avid ally, I thought I understood the pain and danger inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community, but I learned so much more from this beautifully written, brilliantly structured book. Yared skillfully weaves the law, media coverage, and history into this deeply-engrossing, highly-personal story of how the rights and safety of one gay man were violated. The result is an eye-opening page-turner that never slows down and stays with me. This book is a deeply engaging story, an education, and an account of history that we must not forget.
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KzooFamily6
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2021
Knowing some of the story myself (but not all), I was happy with the personal details, accounts, as well as the amount of information about the laws during that time period as well. I bought the book myself (I was not paid for this review and I do not know the author). The book was just the right length, not too short that you didn't fully get to understand the full background, entire drama and injustices that unfolded as well as what happened after. But it was also not too long that I wasn't able to finish, and of course I finished it in one day, it was captivating to me. Great book, and I hope this opens the eyes of others that choose to be blind to the injustices of the LGBTQ+ community and what they go through. And I hope it serves as a reminder that laws need to continue to be changed for the protection of anyone that is discriminated against based on their sex, race, or religion.
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Tammy Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Was it the gay teacher who was the improper role model, or the school board? You decide!
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
What a GREAT read!!! As a person who lived through this story, the author did a fantastic job with the details and emotions.

In this real life, small town Public School with Christian values, Christine captures the devastating truth of how an incredible music teacher’s life was turned upside down because simply, he was gay.

Although I know the ending I held close hoping it would be different. (I won’t ruin it)
This book is for everyone!!! Students, parents, teachers, and all other walks of life!
Customer image
Tammy Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Was it the gay teacher who was the improper role model, or the school board? You decide!
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
What a GREAT read!!! As a person who lived through this story, the author did a fantastic job with the details and emotions.

In this real life, small town Public School with Christian values, Christine captures the devastating truth of how an incredible music teacher’s life was turned upside down because simply, he was gay.

Although I know the ending I held close hoping it would be different. (I won’t ruin it)
This book is for everyone!!! Students, parents, teachers, and all other walks of life!
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