A trans music teacher in Texas has spoken out about the devastating decision to leave the profession he loved, citing the state's hostile political climate and specifically its recently enacted bathroom ban as the final straw that robbed him of his dignity.
The Impossible Choice: Teaching or Dignity
Until recently, the teacher, who is in his late twenties and requested anonymity for safety, worked 'stealth' in a north Texas school. This meant he passed as a cisgender man, with only administrators aware of his trans identity, a secret kept since he began teaching in his early twenties. His passion for music, which he discovered at age 11 as a coping mechanism before he had the words for his gender identity, led him to a career dedicated to creating a safe, creative space for his students.
This delicate balance was shattered in December when Texas finally implemented a bathroom ban, a rule debated for a decade. The law applies to multi-occupancy, single-sex restrooms and changing rooms in public buildings, schools, and universities, with staggering fines for violations: $25,000 for a first offence and $125,000 for subsequent ones.
While the teacher 'passed' well enough to use the correct bathroom, the risk was untenable. "If someone were to report me to the district, it would cost my school $25,000," he explained. In a state where public school funding is critically strained, the potential of being responsible for such a fine, alongside the personal danger of being 'caught', created an atmosphere of constant fear.
A Daily Routine of Humiliation and Fear
The policy's impact was brutally practical and degrading. He described driving to gas stations to use the toilet or enduring the physical agony of holding it in, leading to multiple urinary tract infections. The mental and physical toll was severe: a clouded mind, a body breaking down, and exhaustion from sleeplessness. "I still found ways to pull it together for my students, but I knew that eventually I wouldn't be the best version of myself for them," he said.
The political climate has escalated rapidly. Following the 2023 ban on healthcare for trans youth and the 2025 passage of House Bill 229—which introduces a narrow biological definition of sex and bans changing gender markers on legal documents—life for trans Texans has become a exercise in survival. The teacher described a community shifting to anonymous chats and sharing locations for safety.
The hostility became personal last summer when a post he made in an LGBTQ+ teachers' Facebook group was seen by a member of a hate group, who anonymously reported him to his school for 'grooming'. Although the investigation was closed, the formal complaint remains in his file, altering how he advocates for his community and forcing him away from public protest.
Leaving a Beloved Career Behind
His last day was before the winter holiday break. "This is humiliation disguised as policy, and it is why I decided to leave a job I love and was born to do," he stated. The loss is profound, akin to grief. He recalled joyful lessons, like having students create comic strips with theme songs, and the gratitude of parents who said he helped their children through dark times.
He has since found work in tech support, a role that offers better insurance and the dignity of having necessary medical care, like top surgery, covered. As a teacher, he paid $7,500 out of pocket for the procedure and recovered in silence. Yet, the new job is a poor substitute for his calling. "My leaving is going to leave a pretty big hole," he acknowledged, reflecting on the impact on his school.
His hope now lies in the resilience of his community. "The harder things get, the closer I see my community getting," he said, noting the support network that provides a potential lifeline if he must leave Texas. His story stands as a stark indictment of how legislation can force dedicated professionals out of vital public roles, sacrificing both their livelihoods and the students they serve.
