Name of Text and Author:Speaking the unspeakable in
forbidden places: addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in
the primary school: By Alexandra Allan, Elizabeth Atkinson, Elizabeth Brace, Rene’eDePalma and Judy Hemingway
“Early on in the session, the boy had responded to the word ‘gay’ with ‘that’s minging’ (Very bad) and one of the girls had challenged him by suggesting that there was nothing wrong with being lesbian or gay. However, it was only later when Kate revealed her own sexuality that this girl mentioned that she had an aunt who was gay.”
Teachers being open about their
sexuality can be a positive thing for the children and for the teacher. The
teacher will feel more comfortable going to work and not having to worry about
someone finding out their secret. Teachers being open with their sexuality
would not really do much for elementary students but would be an enormous help
with some students in middle and high school. By the time students are in
middle and high school they might already know or think that they may be LGBT.
For the students that are dealing with this it would benefit them if they knew
that they had someone to talk to who understands what they are going through.
We all need to be realistic and understand
that in every school there may be one or more teachers that are gay. Also that
in every school (public, private, and religious) there are students that are
gay. Times are changing, for the better I think where people are feeling free
to express themselves. When I was in high school there were people that we
thought were gay and it was not until years after high school that they felt
comfortable enough to come out. In 2009 I worked at a high school in Tucson and
there were boys that were, as they say flamboyant and girls felt very
comfortable kissing their girlfriends in the hallways as the heterosexual
students did. In the end we all need to be OPEN and understanding and allow
people to be themselves. Imagine if you could not be who you are because of
fear of ridicule.
I agree with you Marcus we defiantly need to be more realistic that there are teachers that might be lesbian or gay as well as students as well but not everyone is as open-minded as me and you which is sad. But I agree that having teachers more open with their sexuality will be very beneficial for students especially in the middle school and high school levels.
ReplyDeleteThe world is changing quickly, and we need to prepare these kids for the world. In every school there is at least one homosexual student and the only way for them to feel comfortable is by educating kids to make school a safe zone.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you Marcus, I think it's very important to be open and understanding. Everyone is different and everyone has had different journeys in life. That is what makes them who they are.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people must become more open and understanding
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned how you know people that only felt more comfortable coming out later in life. I think that this is a sad truth for many people. I think that by teaching our students, and providing positive role models (teachers being more open, like you said) we can help this problem. LGBTQ youth live with so much fear and insecurity and sometimes it can be difficult for them to find someone to trust. I think that open teachers and more education in schools will help this issue.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people definitely need to be more open and understanding. I think it is so sad that some people can't show who they really are because they are afraid of bullies, etc.
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