Start Seeing Diversity: Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

For my course this week, I was asked to respond to the following:

Some of the ways you noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children including books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers, and schools. I do not believe in homophobia or heterosexism. I also do not believe that when children look at books, movies, toys or pictures they are thinking of sexuality or sexual orientation. They are simply seeing two people working, playing, sharing or reading. It is important to expose children to pictures of people of different colors and of different cultures, because these visuals are clear depictions that people are different. Many people who are against the homosexual lifestyle have a deep faith and conviction rooted in the belief that God created one man and one woman and that union is the only appropriate sexual, marital relationship. Additionally, heterosexism is the belief that heterosexuals are somehow dominant because of their sexual orientation. I argue that this is absurd. I do not believe I have any privileges in life because of my sexual orientation. It is also absurd to believe that people do not receive certain rights under the law because they are homosexual. While there may be people who are prejudiced against homosexuals, I wasn’t hired for my job because I am heterosexual. I do not receive attention from the bank manager because I am heterosexual. There is not a culture in which homosexuals are consistently denied the right to work, eat, sleep, play, engage in relationships or pursue the American dream because of their sexuality. There may be incidences where people are specifically prejudiced against others, like homosexuals. Like Affirmative Action forced employers to hire Black people over people of other colors who might be more qualified, the Homosexual Agenda is forcing people to look at sexuality as a means for equal rights under the law. The idea that your sexuality should get you any privileges under the law is, as stated above, absurd.

Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families.  I completely agree that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay and lesbian individuals as parents. God created one man and one woman and intended for this to be the consummated marriage by which the family is created and children are born. While there are many kinds of families, and I would not disrespect a child or his/her family for having homosexual parents, sexuality is the parent’s job and right to discuss with their children. I do not believe in teachers or the federal government usurping the rights of the parents to teach their children about homosexuality or their own sexuality in general. I am against any kind of sexuality teaching in early childhood.

How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child? If I had homosexuals working as teachers, I would let the parents know that the teacher will interact with their child and if they feel this way, they may want to take their child to a different center. I would stress that all people, adults and teachers have the same rights and responsibilities, no matter their sexual orientation and that we will not work to keep children away from any specific teacher.

I have never used or heard terms such as "fag," “gay,” “homo,” "sissy," "tom boy," or “lesbo” as an insult by a child toward another child. I do not consider these homophobic terms, but rather mean and cruel. Name calling is name calling no matter what, no matter when. It is the job of any teacher to step in and use this as a teachable moment to teach respect for all humans.

Any other related situations, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender, and sexual orientation. I am very clear about my homosexual views. I consider homosexuality a sin. I do not hate homosexuals and do not feel any aversion toward them. I would never treat them any differently than I treat anyone else. I also believe cursing is a sin, but do not treat people differently who curse in my presence. All people are created by God and for a specific purpose and have a role to fulfill in life. The practice of homosexuality, just like many other sins, is putting yourself first and indulging in personal desires over the desires of God or what is best for the family or culture at large. I do not consider myself homophobic and don’t believe in the term. My great aunt was homosexual and she was simply Aunt Jody. I never thought of her in terms of her sexuality. She and her partner, Rita were members of our family. We lived, laughed, loved, played, cooked, fished, sang, joked and spent many years together. It is only in the present American culture that we are being forced to look at people in terms of their sexuality and I think that is absurd and goes against what we are trying to teach in an anti-biased, diverse world – to respect all people no matter who, no matter what.