Drag queen teacher resigns after admitting covert student contact

A teacher and drag queen performer in Alabama has resigned from teaching after facing widespread public condemnation for expressing his desire to discuss gender and sexuality with his students, admitting he does so covertly online. 

Seth McCollough, a middle school teacher in the Auburn City Schools district, shared the controversial remarks on his podcast, “Bleau Dreams,” named for his drag queen pseudonym, “Colana Bleau.” The podcast’s online summary describes it as, “Just queer advice no one wants and definitely no one asked for from an almost 30-year-old drag queen living in South AL. Answering the questions you can’t ask your parents!” 

On the podcast, McCollough encourages students to sever relationships that are “toxic,” including with their parents. McCollough also expresses his desire to “help” his students by engaging in these conversations, but seems to understand he could be fired for it. 

“The only thing that I’m ever really worried about is if the wrong parent finds out and the wrong parent makes a big enough stink that I probably won’t have a job anymore,” he quipped. 

In the same episode, McCollough claims students frequently approach him with questions about his sexuality, asking how and when he knew he was gay. He claims he refrains from answering them in school settings because his “hands are tied.” Instead, he asks his students to email him their questions and then uses his podcast as a platform to discuss gender and sexuality for the children to hear.  

In another podcast segment, McCollough commented on proposed legislation that would require teachers to inform parents if their children attempt to socially transition genders at school. “I would never out one of my students,” he said defiantly. 

Public backlash against McCollough’s statements began to snowball when the story was shared by the X account Libs of TikTok, which has garnered a following of over three million users.  

Congressman Chip Roy, R-Texas, also posted his concerns about the story, calling it an example of “woke trans indoctrination” in a “deep red” state’s public school. Roy addressed Alabama lawmakers directly, calling for a response from the state’s top Republican legislators, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Sen. Katie Britt, and Congressman Barry Moore. 

The outcry led to McCollough’s resignation from the school district, where he taught a “Music Exploratory” course and directed the after-school chorus.