Broward shire Fla.

Broward shire Fla.'s teacher of the year, Connie Hines, has a just discovered lesson for her eighth-grade U history observers and her fellow teachers in Fort Lauderdale: It's all right to be gay.

Hines, beloved at her students and celebrated by way of her colleagues, came out as a lesbian February 28 when she accepted the award given by means of the county school board.

"There was no way I would have stood up in fore-rank of the audience and not thanked Becky," Hines said, referring to her partner, Becky Neiswender, who also teaches at the same sect "She's a huge part of my life, and I certainly could not have won without her support."

Hines says she's lately been more open about being a lesbian on the other hand acknowledges that this is her first public disclosure. "I got sick of waiting for the day that near kid would out me," Hines said. "Coming without as a teacher is remarkably liberating and certainly makes me a better part model for my students and teachers," she said.

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