I attended second grade at a school in the US, where we lived for a year. The school had kids from around the world, being just outside Washington DC.
So, at 7 years old, I first experienced Valentine's Day. It was probably a first for others too. Our teacher told us that a valentine was a friend. Being a friendly boy, I got valentine cards for all the kids in the class. I got a fair number too, I think both from boys and girls, though I honestly don't remember.
Many years later, my father told me that the teacher in question was effeminate and obviously #gay. At 7, I didn't know I was gay, much less have a gaydar. But this made me think back and wonder. Was the teacher being intentionally inclusive? Or just protecting himself in a homophobic world?
