If you have been alive and able to read for the past week you will know that religion is often used as an excuse for some pretty terrible stuff.

Now sadly Michael Neri, a 26-year-old drama teacher from Kidderminster, has learnt that him being gay somehow means he can’t teach children…

… at least that’s what one mother thinks. She decided, upon finding out that Michael was gay, that her children would no longer be allowed to attend his drama class.

Not only that but she even asked him to refund her deposit – the cheek.


‘I have recently learned of your lifestyle and as a Christian I cannot allow my children to be influenced by unconventional ideas,’ she wrote.



‘It is our belief that a man should marry a woman.’

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While most people would want to respond with a barrage of four letter words, Michael took the high road, and even managed to educate the woman about her take on Christianity.

Click to enlarge (Picture: Facebook/Michael Neri)

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We particularly enjoyed Michael’s decision to use the woman’s money to support an LGBT charity.

Michael, who set up the Home of Talking Props Theatre School in 2014, told Metro.co.uk: ‘When I first saw the message I had to read it through twice.

‘I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it was still a hurtful thing to receive.’

Michael (top) with fellow performing arts teachers Grace Winnitt (left) and Zailee Parmenter (Picture: Michael Neri)

Since posting the message on Facebook Michael has received several messages of support, congratulating him on his calm response to the mother.

‘It’s been quite overwhelming how much it all escalated,’ he said.

‘I didn’t want to upset anyone, but I needed to protect myself and my organisation, so I thought I would reply in a polite manner.’

Michael, who hasn’t heard back from the mother, says all children are welcome to his drama school.

Michael said: ‘If the mother changes her mind then her children are more than welcome to attend classes here – I certainly don’t blame them for the way their mother thinks.’

It’s worth pointing out that the Bible also forbids wearing ‘costly garments’ (1 Timothy 2:9), tearing your clothes (Leviticus 10:6), working on the weekend (Exodus 31:14–15) and cutting the hair on the sides of your head (Leviticus 19:27), all of which are likely to happen in the dramatic industries.

Looks like this woman will have a hard time finding a drama school that doesn’t make her kids immoral.

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