"Start Seeing Diversity Video" Blog: Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

"Start Seeing Diversity Video" Blog: Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

            Fortunately, I have not been personally exposed to issues of homophobia or heterosexism.  Of course, I have overhead others using terms such as “fag”, “gay”, or “homo”.  I have always found these terms very offensive.  During these interactions, I wish I had voiced my feelings about these terms.  Instead, I have chosen not to interact or correct these individuals.  I have never used them around my daughter or my students.  Children need to learn that these are not appropriate and should not be used.  I have several friends that are homosexual.  I don’t believe lifestyles choices should be a factor in our interactions if they are positive ones.  I would hate to be judged on my weight or the fact that I am divorced raising a daughter.  Everyone has issues.

            I do not believe that an educator should be judged on the sexual preference, color, culture, or gender.  Educational professionals should be highly trained with experience and education.  Our different backgrounds and interactions give us background to learn from and share with our students.  I am from a fairly small community.  Our district does not discourage the use of literature based on these issues.  To my knowledge, our program has not shared these books with our classroom children.  Upon reflection, this is a question I need to ask of our administration.  We discuss the different types of families – married parents, divorced parents, single moms or dad, or being raised by grandparents.  I don’t remember ever discussing same-sex parents.  A topic I need to become more familiar with in our school system.  My Walden courses have brought many issues to my attention.  I learn so much with each assignment.