GLBT

I like and agree with the thought that "good teachers teach about all different types of people." We are not doing our jobs if we avoid or try to leave out people's sexuality. I am in no position to tell students or give advice about their "sexual identy" but I am there to treat them with respect and provide a safe environment to learn. I would have not problem with students who "came out" to me because I support and have gay friends. I would show them the same respect I would give any of my other students and offer help and guidance just like I would to any of my other non-gay students.

To tell their friends and family is completely up to them. I had a friend that after he told me he was gay, he waited a whole year before he told his mom. When she did find out it was a huge relief to both of them because they could actually talk about it from then on. Every gay friend I have had has had a supportive family and community. I am shocked when reading about harrassment to the level of yelling and abuse within the schools to gay students. There needs to be some quick action by the community to get involved, educate themselves, and learn their manners. Its OK to have different opinions but that does not give anyone the right to harass and threaten others.

I like how the chapters talked about using non-threating and offensive language like "that's gay" because it is unnecessary. I also like the idea of showing examples of gay artist especially ones that are very familiar. I think it would be really great for the art teacher to provoke conversations about sexual identity but I think teachers just assume to keep taboo subjects like that out of their classroom. I would have no problem but would probably find other adults that would not feel comfortable allowing that to go on in their school especially in the smaller school district that I am hoping to teach in after college. That area just has not been exposed to issues such as GLBT but that would not keep me from teaching about all types of people.