It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School

1. Child asks “so, nothing is right or wrong?”

1.1. As a class, create a BILL OF RIGHTS outlining decorum rules for discussions on controversial issues.

2. Focus on the relationships and identity, not on sex.

2.1. This may be true for younger elementary grades but the new health curriculum includes non-normative sexualities in the curriculum. A lot has changed since 1996.

3. "Most adults don’t understand why schools should teach about gay people."

3.1. Is this true anymore? Ask students to gauge if they think their parents, their teachers, and/or their neighbours are open to LGBT rights? Is it getting better?

4. The most common slur heard by that teacher is “faggot”.

4.1. Is that true now? What are the most common slurs/insults today? Have they changed?

5. It was encouraging to see a principal stand up against angry parents even though she didn't want to be seen as a "flag bearer".

5.1. What is a "flag bearer"?

5.1.1. BRAINSTORM examples of famous "flag bearers" and pioneers.

6. Prejudiced people “aren’t terrible people”.

6.1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Ti-gkJiXc&t=1s

6.2. It would be useful to start off a discussion with the notion that 1) people are allowed their opinions, 2) opinions come from a bunch of sources, and 3) opinions can change

7. “What’s the big whoop?”

7.1. CLASS BRAINSTORM: What is the school's climate when it comes to the acceptance of LGBT people? Is the school MORE or LESS accepting than the community we're in?

7.2. GUEST SPEAKER: Bring in someone who has seen the evolution of the LGBT rights movement, who can speak to the importance of continuing to fight for rights and what still needs to be done.

8. It was powerful to see a positive straight role model.

8.1. Why are allies important?

8.2. How can you be a stronger ally?

8.3. Have you ever stood up for someone else?