{"id":333280,"date":"2026-06-12T06:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T06:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/333280\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T06:22:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T06:22:14","slug":"texas-math-teacher-goes-viral-for-his-lesson-about-when-and-when-not-to-call-something-gay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/333280\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas math teacher goes viral for his lesson about when and when not to call something ‘gay’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Languages<\/a> are always evolving and changing over time. Many words see their meanings shift<\/a> as society and culture develop, and, usually, this is a good thing. Of course, some words that were once innocuous may evolve to have negative, controversial<\/a>, and even inflammatory meanings. Such words become embedded in cultures and communities, and, before some people realize it, they become part of everyday vernacular<\/a>. But just because something is normal or common doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s right. Words, as well all know, are powerful<\/a> and can be extremely harmful. It takes effort and, quite frankly, guts, to call out slurs when they\u2019re arbitrarily thrown around so they fall out of normalcy.<\/p>\n

A teacher in Texas is one of those gutsy people. Christian Shearhod<\/a>, also known as Mr. S. by most of his students, might be one of the only math teachers with 1.3 million followers on Instagram. There\u2019s a good reason for that. He has a brilliant way of speaking to children in which he demonstrates inclusivity and kindness.<\/p>\n

In a clip<\/a> making the rounds on social media, we see Shearhod, with wavy blonde hair and tattoos, energetically addressing a room full of middle school students. In front of him sits an LGBTQ rainbow flag on a desk. Behind him is a giant projector that asks, \u201cIs it gay?\u201d He begins to shout, \u201cThis is gay, that is gay! Everything is gay!\u201d He then lowers his voice and adds, \u201cI hear it all day. But do y\u2019all know what it means?\u201d<\/p>\n

A student confidently answers, \u201cLiking the same gender as yourself.\u201d Shearhod repeats it back to the class. \u201cLiking the same gender as yourself.\u201d He follows this up by asking if various actions\/events are \u201cgay,\u201d to which the students answer in full volume. Painting nails, wearing pink, wearing crop tops, holding hands with a friend, wearing a dress, liking Barbie or My Little Pony. For each suggestion, he has a funny photo or emoji on an overhead projector. To the question, \u201cis it gay?\u201d the kids answer with a resounding \u201cNoooo!\u201d<\/p>\n

He shifts over to the crux of what it means to be \u201cgay\u201d in LGBTQ terms. \u201cIs it boys who like boys? Is it girls who like girls?\u201d The students cheer and answer in kind. \u201cYeeeeeeah!\u201d He follows this up with the fact that some people are intolerant and hateful, and that\u2019s a shame because, as he states, \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u201d He enthusiastically adds, \u201cAnd being gay is\u2026okay!\u201d<\/p>\n

To date, the clip has over 420,000 likes and nearly 16,000 supportive comments on Instagram alone. One person writes, \u201cI\u2019m gay and I approve of this message and wish our daughter could be in your class.\u201d Shearhod responds with gratitude, writing, \u201cThank you so much! Most of the kids in this club aren\u2019t LGBT themselves, but have friends and family who are. I love how they show up to support!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another commenter addressed one of the photos of Shaquille O\u2019Neal that Shearhod posted when asking if painting one\u2019s nails was \u201cgay.\u201d Mr. S. answers, \u201cHe paints his little toesies!\u201d<\/p>\n

And this Instagrammer states it simply: \u201cSaving humanity one classroom at a time.\u201d This comment itself was met with over 5,000 hearts of approval.<\/p>\n

Upworthy got the honor of speaking with Shearhod, who shared that he has been teaching for eight years, though this clip wasn\u2019t from his regular math class. \u201cIt was from an LGBTQ club hosted during lunch. But I teach math during the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

He has felt a calling to speak up having grown up in Texas. \u201cMy wife is Trans. And going to school in Texas, I saw how awfully LGBT students and allies were treated. And to be honest, I\u2019m sad I didn\u2019t stand up and speak out then. So now I teach kindness, in hopes that this next generation will be a bit kinder and more understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shared an extremely hopeful message: \u201cI\u2019m inspired every day by little acts of kindness. The good in people gives me hope.\u201d\n<\/p>\n