1.)"...it is noteworthy that no state currently recognizes gays and lesbians as legitimate minority or cultural groups to be considered in textbook adoption or to be included in multicultural education."
I'm not sure if any states have updated their policy on this since, but it is a classification I have never really considered. I didn't even realize that there was a standard on inclusive teaching. It seems silly that religion, class, gender, ethnicity, and race are considered but not sexual orientation. Who we fall in love with affects how we will develop and group our future families.Gays are certainly not considered a part of the "mainstream culture" so to not include them in the minority culture is to discount them entirely. I think that is a real injustice.
2.)"... it is now estimated that up to one third of all adolescent suicide victims are gay..."
This statistic is utterly haunting. As Dr. Stevos said, "I never want to be 13 again." The time in our lives when sexuality buds is nerve wracking. For a gay person, the difficulties of adolescent sexuality becomes compounded through feelings of isolation. If we, as their teachers, do not try to expose students to positive examples of other gay individuals, them we are starving these students of the role models they need and deserve. Humans have been gay since the beginning of time, just look back at ancient Greek culture. the fact that it is 2011 and it has not yet been accepted as a viable choice in a healthy life is a problem that we are putting on the shoulders of our youth. Obviously, from the high suicide rate, it is often too much for them to bare.
3.) talking about the film La Cage aux Folles "... the world of Renato and Albin is linked to a deep-rooted desire for a space in which all people are free to "be themselves," and in which diversity is not only tolerated but celebrated."
Why are we so afraid to let people be who they are in a diverse environment? Are we scared that if someone chooses not to live our life then it deems our life as less desirable? Are we afraid that we will be forced to become them? Then, why would we want people to become us? I say us to acknowledge that I am straight, white, middle class. I am the majority trying to make myself rise above everyone else while simultaneously trying to make them like me. It doesn't make logical sense for us all to be the same. Get over it! Embrace diversity. Marriage and the military are basic human rights. We need to evolve!
Overall I thought this reading was good. I understand the need to understand the historic inferences of systematic and inherent prejudice towards gay people so I did enjoy the quotes from the book and movies. But, this is a rapidly evolving topic so more up to date information would be appreciated. It is important to know where we came from but there is a lot of potent examples from present day.
I agree about the more up to date information. I thought the part werer he was talking about some gay men thinking that getting AIDS is inevitable and part of being gay. In todays society I don't thing this is true, granted I am not part of the gay community and can not prove it. BUT this seems like a statement from the early 90's when many gay men had AIDS and this isn't the case anymore.
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