A teacher in Berlin has faced years of harassment from Muslim pupils and parents after revealing he was in a same-sex relationship—yet school authorities have repeatedly failed to intervene.
Oziel Inácio-Stech, who works at the Carl-Bolle-Grundschule in the district of Moabit, told Süddeutsche Zeitung he has endured threats, insults, and classroom disruption since telling students five years ago that he was civilly married to a man. Pupils from Muslim backgrounds called him “disgusting,” “a disgrace to the family,” and “unclean.” One declared: “Islam is the boss here.”
Despite numerous reports to school leadership, no serious action was taken. Instead, Inácio-Stech became the target of anonymous parental complaints, leading to an official investigation. Although the case was dropped, authorities refused to clear his name, cautioning him to maintain “emotional distance” and warning him not to speak to the press.
Teachers at the school describe a growing climate of fear and pressure. One colleague reported that Muslim pupils refused to be taught by an Israeli teacher, who later left the school. Another said parents regularly demand dress codes for female staff. “Islam is spreading further and further in our school,” said one. “We Germans are being pushed out.”
Inácio-Stech is currently on leave with post-traumatic stress. Though he remains committed to teaching, his case has sparked wider concern about the unwillingness of officials to confront religious intolerance in migrant-dominated schools.
