Chapter 11

Chapter 11   Sexual Orientation

I was appalled that there are still states where teachers can be discriminated against or fired if you are GLBT.  But considering that gay marriage is still a work in progress, I guess that I shouldn’t be so surprised.  I have worked with a gay fellow teacher in the past and am currently working with a lesbian teacher.  I treat them the same as I do all of my fellow teachers, with respect and friendship.  I would treat my children this way as well if at first grade they had matured enough to make that type of decision. 

When I was growing up, we were told that we teach gender to our children by giving them boy toys or girl toys.  I made an effort not to do that.  My son played with dolls and I did not think it was any big deal.  As they grew up, they brought their friends to our house and one day we found out that one of them was gay. It was no big deal to me as he was still the same kid he had been before I heard that.  He knew that at our house, their was not judging him for that as well as not judging my daughter for purple, pink, or whatever color hair she wanted to wear.  It did not and does not change the person on the inside.  I have always followed the policy that you can be and do (within the laws of your country) anything you want as long as it does no harm to others. 

I am appalled by the treatment of students and the fear they have of telling friends and family that they are different in this way.  I would treat a child in my classroom the same and if others were bullying him or her, they would not get away with it for long. I would call parents to a meeting to discuss the behavior.

Question:  What have you experienced in your school?  What would you do if you saw a student being bullied because of their sexual orientation?