Private Love, Public School: Gay Teacher Under Fire

by CHRISTINE A. YARED, Jay Kaplan (Foreword)

Gerry Crane was a talented high school music teacher, loved by students and parents, and lauded as one of the best teachers at his school. Everything changed once word spread that he had married a man. Follow the events of 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Education

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2020

About the author

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.
www.facebook.com/gayteacher

Reviews

[Nick Kondyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

"As early as February 1996, Gerry felt the school was engaged in a 'witch hunt' that would 'end with a lynching--if not in reality, then most certainly in spirit.' When Gerry resigned in July 1996, he explained that his humanity was at stake. None of this was hyperbole. The school crushed his spirit. The school broke his heart" (Yared 218).
Private Love, Public School: Gay Teacher Under Fire

I was so honored to read my friend Christine's book on a very irrevocable series of events in our area. Relevant to the books in its genre and also in style. Not only that but it stands along in its content. It contains things that you wouldn't find in a Stephen King novel but were real happenings of the mid-1990s in suburban west michigan.

I was struck by her attention to the details, which never once wavered beyond the facts, which spoke for themselves, as she allowed them to so masterfully. This review from Kirkus says it better than I ever could: "this 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.”

Thanks Christine for endeavoring to put this into the world. It is so needed and I know that Gerry is smiling upon your thoughtful energy and advocacy.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t cried over a book in ages. I wish so badly I could’ve met Mr. Crane. I have no idea, no ability to imagine what it would be like to have a gay teacher. I wish everyone in Byron Center would read this. This is so so moving. It actually made me rethink the way I view Christianity too. This inspires me to grow old, because so many gay people didn’t get to. No idea how I could love someone I’ve never met, but my heart goes out to Mr. Crane and those who knew him.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m the Yuki mentioned in the book.

Gerry’s story is personal because my aunt and uncle were active members at the time the Byron Center Bible Church led the crusade against him.

Even though I never met Gerry, his story changed my life. Learning how his faith enabled him to forgive his tormentors inspired me to forgive my own father and I converted to Christianity. His faith was like a beacon that brought divine love to me years after his death.

As someone active in the music program throughout high school, I wish Gerry would have been my teacher. The teacher I had was so strict that I still have pressure dreams years after graduating.

Even though my project wasn’t as popular as I expected, I did get participation. A special education class in another state sent me their hand-folded paper cranes. Below is a link to check out my memorial

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written! It's a tragedy, but the author uses her insights and her research to sculpt the story in it's horrific entirety. I was there, I lived it (and am in the book twice) and still have a hard time believing it happened.

[Tovis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the late 90s, I lived one town over from Byron Center, in Dorr, and felt the way Byron Center treated Mr. Crane was horrible. We now live in Byron Center. Portions of this book I read at the park close enough to hear the Byron Center High School band practice at the high school. I also listened to music we played in our band while reading this book.

My condolences to all who knew Mr. Crane. I appreciate the research the author put into this book. While I knew a lot from watching the news as a teen while this was happening, I didn't comprehend the dark depths it went to.

I cannot believe there has not been a public apology from the school, nor the community, yet.

[Ryan Velderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to make a decision how to rate this book.
It is not well-written & I am likely only to have read the entire book because I lived in a neighboring town & have several family ties to Byron Center, with one family member attending the HS while Gerry went through this ordeal.
On the other hand, Gerry's story is invaluable; a vital tool to being Christ's hands & feet.
Clearly, the lesson(s) to be learned by the Church won out in my decision.

[Pamela Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my students who follow my reviews on goodreads - content warning of homophobia religious discrimination.

I came to this book when a friend asked me first if I knew about the story or the book- I did not. Next he asked me to read it. The book is not available through my school library or public library as an ebook or an audio book, which as a person with a visual processing disorder are the formats I require to comfortably read long form lit. I bought the e-book from an online book source. I am undecided if I am going to buy a paper copy to feature in my classroom.

This is the story of a, by all accounts including the people who wanted to fire him, highly skilled and much loved high school public school music teacher, Gerry Crane. Mr. Crane taught for Byron Center High School, a public school in Kent County,slightly south of the City of Grand Rapids. I did not know Mr. Crane but I am friends with at least a half dozen people who are one person away from Mr. Crane, including the writer for the Grand Rapids Press, and one of the attorneys. When I told a friend I had gotten this book and I was reading it she responded “I know this story. I didn’t know there was a book but warning this does not end well. Prepare yourself to be devastated.” She was not wrong.

I am not from West Michigan, and I had no idea what west Michigan Conservative Evangelical Christianity looked like when I moved to Grand Rapids after attending graduate school at Central Michigan University. I moved to Grand Rapids, and started teaching for Forest Hills Central, the Forest Hills referenced in the book, two years after Gerry died. I was teaching there when a fellow teacher and the school social worker agreed to be the first GSA advisers for FHC. The teacher left at the end of the school year and I joined the social worker as the second GSA adviser. I was a co-adviser for about ten years until I didn’t have time and another teacher stepped up to replace me. I am still teaching at FHC and we still have a GSA.

This books tells the story of Gerry Crane who grew up in a conservative Christian family, attended conservative Christian schools, including college, and then taught music for a private Christian school prior to coming to teach for Bryon Center PS. Gerry was also a gay man and had walked a long road to self acceptance and finding a place where his identities as a Christian and as a gay man intersected. He found that place in a local affirming church. As a representation of his Christian faith he and his partner of three years, Randy Block, had a private commitment ceremony. A program from the private ceremony was stolen and then given to the administration and school board. The rest is a nightmare cascade that one would think is only possible in a work of fiction or for people living in a theocratic state. It ends with Mr. Crane having a heart attack, and dying at the age of 32.

Reading this book and knowing who many of the players are was deeply distressing, horrifying, and left me both sad and enraged. Reading this book is a little bit like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The only saving grace of reading this story in 2023 is the right to marry is federally enshrined in law and as recently as a few months ago, the state of Michigan has made it illegal to discriminate for employment, housing, services, etc in the state of Michigan. That said my friend who said “I know this story. I didn’t know there was a book but warning this does not end well. Prepare yourself to be devastated.” She was not wrong. Mr. Crane and Mr. Block I am deeply sorry there weren't an abundance of allies to stand with you in 1995. There are now. 5 stars

[Marcia Biederman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart-breaking, involving story of a talented high school music teacher, thrust into the national spotlight by homophobic school administrators and bigoted parents, although he wanted nothing so much as to be left alone. The product of Christian schooling, Gerry Crane spent much of his adolescence and high school years trying to reconcile his gay identity with his true Christian faith. By 1995, he was happily teaching music in Michigan's Byron Center High School. After struggling with despair, and even trying gay-conversion therapy, he'd was finally in his groove, accepting himself, worshipping at a tolerant church, and thriving in a loving relationship. This all came crashing down when an intruder at a ceremony marking Crane's commitment to his partner stole a program and made it public. In an engaging narrative style, author Christine A. Yard recounts Crane's slow, humiliating persecution of a popular, highly regarded teacher—extending even into labeling "South Pacific," Crane's choice for the school musical, as a propaganda tool for homosexuality.

Yared, an attorney, helps the non-lawyer understand all the unjust, arguably illegal decisions made by a heartless school principal from the very start of these events to the point where they earned widespread press attention. This was a witch hunt that ended in the actual burning of a body. It happened decades ago in west Michigan, but as Yared cautions, readers elsewhere shouldn't rush to dismiss this story as of another place and time. The same impulses that led to this tragedy are still very much alive and not confined by zip code.

[Deidre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was curious about the events that led to Gerry Crane’s eventually resignation from the district. All I can say is how horrified I am that these events happened. Back in 1995, homosexuality was a fear and there was worry about “catching” gayness from someone. There was a fear that Gerry would influence his students to be gay. This book does a great job explaining what happened and keeping to the facts of the school boards actions, the principal’s actions and Gerry’s actions. The one thing that struck me was that Byron Center Public Schools failed to answer one important question - does a person’s personal life influence their professional life? - and just jump into the fact that homosexuality is wrong, despite the accolades and praises Gerry Crane had previously received from students and even the principal himself. This book was eye opening and made me hurt for what his family and friends went through the 15 months of this ordeal. There were parts that were really hard to read and there were tears shed.

[jmewazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly important book. I live in West MI but only recently learned about Gerry Crane's story, and it was fascinating and heartbreaking to learn more. I was amazed at how far we've come since the events of this book but also cautious to not delude myself into thinking that LGBTQ educators don't still struggle within our conservative communities today.
If I had one criticism, it would be that the organization of the book, especially at the beginning, feels a bit choppy. I would actually recommend reading the intro and then starting with chapter 2. Read chapter 1 after following the events in more or less chronological order through chapter 6. I think it's worth noting beforehand that the author is an attorney, and even though the events are quite dramatic, the narrative itself feels a bit wooden. Still, it's valuable to have a legal context and analysis of Gerry's story.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling true story about life as a gay teacher in a conservative community in Michigan in the mid 1990s. We like to think that, since then, things have gotten better, and they have, but there is still a long way to go. The critical issue in this story is that the separation of church and state is not a solid line but, rather, an undefined, fuzzy demarcation. When tolerance of others beliefs is not allowed, we are no longer separating church and state. The Byron Center, Michigan, school system acted inappropriately on so many different levels.

[Marsha Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Linda Strick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tragic, heartbreaking story. Never have I read a book that stirred my emotions so much. I could only read parts of it at a time & then put it down for a few days. I have a hard time believing that this happened in the town I grew up in. I know from friends whose children attended BC school that Mr. Crane was a very well-loved, respected teacher. I wonder about those involved - is there any shame? guilt? tears? - have they prayed for forgiveness?
Thank you, Christine Yared, for writing Gerry's story. It was hard to read but is well done, well researched & well written.

[Donna Oster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of Gerry Crane, a well loved and respected music teacher who taught at Byron Center High School in the 1990's. That is, loved until it is discovered that he is gay. He is treated horribly by the so called "christian community", media and Byron Center Public School. Chosen as a Library of Michigan Notable Book, this book is thought provoking and shows the importance of separating religious beliefs from the operations of the public schools.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This contains well researched writing but due to the straightforward writing I failed to really feel the connection Gerry made with his students until the chapter about his death. Also, having a picture of the tribute for his death is a major spoiler that is placed in the middle of the book. I felt I had to slog my way through the book.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and factual telling. This was hard to read, but was conveyed so well and with well researched and important details. I feel like every important detail was included and like I got the full story. It was interesting learning back story about an area I know so much about and a profession I care a lot for. It is sad that this is still so relevant 20+ years later.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very important read for everyone. It’s heartbreaking to know this hate existed and likely still exists in the very community where I currently live. Thankful for the author who brought Gerry’s voice back to life, and thoughts to those former students who defended their beloved teacher.

[Jayne Bartrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Local story, although I was teaching out of state during significant events in real time.
Well done. Impressive documentation. The author names names and I recognize many. Heartbreaking😢

[Angie Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important story for educators but I can't say that it was written in a particularly compelling way.

[Ace McClelland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful and heartbreaking book.

[Katelyn Tanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read and such an important, heartbreaking book. These stories are rarely told in West Michigan. Glad this one was written.

[Michele Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a tragic story. Glad I read this book.