Safe Spaces; Making Schools and Communities Welcoming LGBT Youth

This week on my blog I will be discussing about Safe Spaces; Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth by Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August, and Megan S. Kennedy. While reading my classmates blogs bout Safe Spaces I really connected with Kyle’s blog, “Inclusion in the Classroom.”  At the end of his article he stated,

 

“Students have to stop feeling like they are different for the wrong reasons. Things like sexual orientation have to be introduced at a younger age in order for children to learn that it is ok and normal to feel or be the way they want. The reason why children make fun of each other would be because they are afraid of what is different. If gay or lesbian isn't a term or concept they understand they will immediately think it is wrong due to that fear of the unknown. The easiest thing to combat this would be to teach them what it is and why there is nothing wrong with it.”

 

I can really agree with Kyle because the whole time I was reading Safe Spaces I was thinking about how LGBT should be introduce to children at a young age so they can understand what it is and accept it. I believe they would also be able to understand the terms that are involve with the LGBT communities like gay and lesbian. In Safe Spaces they talk about a fifth grade teacher name Patrick and his two encounters with a student Derek. Derek used the words gay and bisexual during class and Patrick was there to intervene when he used them. He question Derek what they meant and if he can explain the definition of each word.

 

“Patrick does not scold. He does not snicker. And he certainly doesn’t pretend that he does not hear. He explores the negative usage of words such as “gay” or “bisexual.” He prods and questions, requiring students to define the terms. Patrick’s actions promoted discussion and understanding: he asked students to students to think about the power of their harmful language. We believe that Patrick is right: That is what a teacher does. That is what any concerned adult does.”

 

This here ties to why I agree with Kyle and why I believe LBGT should be introduce to children at a young age because if there was any confusion or question it can be clear up. I also believe if LGBT was introduce at a very young age, children will see it as a so called “norm.” If they see it as a “norm” they can accept it.

 

Questions: In class I would like to ask my classmates would they incorporate LGBT in their curriculum. If so, how would they do it?