Should public schools teach about homosexuality?

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

It depends on the school...and sometimes, even the teacher.

But this discussion goes way beyond just the teaching of homosexuality in sex ed...it involves any mention of homosexuality.

The history of the gay rights movement, gay hate crimes history, famous gay people in history, homosexuality throughout history.

There is a struggle in several states to get any mention of the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts removed from textbooks...it's been successful in Texas. And since it's been successful in Texas that has impacted most of the nation because the school system in Texas virtually controls the textbook industry because of the amount of books they buy.

This struggle goes way beyond what Tommy and Johnny do with each other's willys and what they stick up their poopers.

+1 for Matthew.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

I'll be you still believe in the tooth fairy if you believe it will be that simple.

I never said it would be simple, in fact I've stated several times that I'm aware there are complications and that it would be a process vs. a clean, immediate inclusion. You must've graduated from the Republican Academy of Deflection and Non Sequitors with high honors.

 

[construct]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

To the extent that current affairs is covered in history, civics, and government classes, gay issues should be covered in schools (even if it amounts to little more than students bringing current events articles to class to talk about during the first five minutes on Fridays).

(Thinking through that answer helped me decide how to vote in the poll.)

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

I never said it would be simple, in fact I've stated several times that I'm aware there are complications and that it would be a process vs. a clean, immediate inclusion. You must've graduated from the Republican Academy of Deflection and Non Sequitors with high honors.

I will ignore that tacky remark and simply say - keep up your youthful enthusiasm while you can. Tilting at windmills can be fun, for a while.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

Henry, anything taught will have the slant of the teacher.

Slavery in the hands of a racist can twist little facts, or obscure truths, to drive their biased point home. A handful of examples of tribes selling their own people to slave traders can suddenly become "they did it to themselves".

The Holocaust in the hands of a denier can suddenly become a Jewish comspiracy to hide their wealth and gain international sympathy.

.

That's pretty much what I've been saying.

Which is why it isn't going to happen any time soon.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

I will ignore that tacky remark and simply say - keep up your youthful enthusiasm while you can. Tilting at windmills can be fun, for a while.

It was in jest my good man. Now, you've presented the negatives of such a teaching, what do you think the benefits would be? On gays? On homophobia? On the sexual health of the gay community especially American youth? Surely it can't be all storm clouds.

What are your personal feelings outside of "It won't happen soon?" Do you think it SHOULD happen eventually? Do you think Americans will be better for it?

 

[Corny]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

This is related to the general exclusion of safe sex practices, some schools don't teach about safe sex at all which is why we have threads on JUB like "Is bareback sex safe for the top?"

that's just .. wow.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

that's just .. wow.

Technically they're right, the top is less at risk than the bottom, but that's like driving through traffic at 200 mph vs. 150 mph. Why not just, ya know, not do it? If I remember correctly I may have been a bit of a prick when I answered that thread (this was WAAAAY back) but now that I think about it, the blame doesn't lie solely on the ignorance of gay youth and gay Americans in general.

We're not taught about these things, about anal sex and STDs specifically associated with it so it's no surprise that there are so many misconceptions. For all intents and purposes, gay sex is mostly a "learn as you go" experience until we incorporate these teachings.

Considering our standing as an allegedly progressive country it's mind-boggling that we have to JUSTIFY presenting information that could help people. What next, we have to get court approval to administer life vests? A letter from the president before we can buckle a seat belt?

*Disclaimer, I was being facetious in those last few statements.

 

[Corny]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

No .. the wow was not directed towards the question. More towards the fact that nobody tells the kids about safer sex ..

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

No .. the wow was not directed towards the question. More towards the fact that nobody tells the kids about safer sex ..

Welcome to America, the land of the somewhat free and moderately, when-it's-convenient-and/or-socially-acceptable-to-be brave. Americans have glamorized ignorance for years, all under the guise of "The public's best interest." Yes, it's better that we NOT have information.

 

[Corny]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

Well NOTHING that a few purity rings and abstinence programs can't fix

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

Well NOTHING that a few purity rings and abstinence programs can't fix

I guess it's admirable that they choose to stay on ship in spite of statistics that tell them it's sinking.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003685699_abstinence29.html

"Studies have shown that the vast majority of Americans do not remain abstinent until marriage, and they need to have this vital information to protect themselves."

http://www.openeducation.net/2009/0...ducation-statistics-final-nail-in-the-coffin/

Participation in the [abstinence] program is down 40 percent over two years. In addition to the Cochrane study, another federally funded study of four abstinence-only programs by the Mathematica Policy Research Inc., published in April of 2007, revealed similar results. The research group found that “participants had just as many sexual partners as nonparticipants and had sex at the same median age as nonparticipants.” In other words, abstinence education programs did nothing favorable - the result was the same as if there were no program being offered at all.

 

[webshots]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

Thank you very much

 

[TX-Beau]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

In my private school back in the 1970s, homosexuality was discussed in two classes. There was a rather off-hand mention in health class which was one semester. Then there was a one day discussion (that did include recognition of varying attitudes toward homosexuality) in biology class which was two semesters.

This was my experience, though the sex ed stuff was extremely clinical, and didn't mention anything but the medical facts. That and we had to watch VD films. Oh wasn't that a blast.

The other class was civics actually and the discussion was about gay rights/public perception of gay people, in a series of lectures about suspect classes. If it was mentioned in biology, I don't remember.

Also a private school, somewhat later than Construct, and Parochial, Episcopal not Catholic.

I think the gay stuff should be included in the curriculum wherever it's relevant. Schools are supposed to prepare you for the world, not give you blinders.

 

[TX-Beau]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

Well NOTHING that a few purity rings and abstinence programs can't fix

Don't you know, you're still a virgin if you suck cock or take it up the ass.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

It was in jest my good man. Now, you've presented the negatives of such a teaching, what do you think the benefits would be? On gays? On homophobia? On the sexual health of the gay community especially American youth? Surely it can't be all storm clouds.

What are your personal feelings outside of "It won't happen soon?" Do you think it SHOULD happen eventually? Do you think Americans will be better for it?

Clearly you may have read but certainly did not comprehend anythiing I wrote, which was:

It's a good idea in theory, but putting it into practice wouldn't work, UNLESS...

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

^You raised a good point I should've specified, that this would be included in the regular health/sexuality curriculum as opposed to an entirely new class.

 

[White Eagle]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

*By homosexuality I include all variatians, gay, lesbian, tranny, manny, whatever other version there is.

I know you guys won't let me down, I tried this on a black, gay website and the answers damn near turned me into a white supremacist.

Anywho, I believe teaching about homosexuality from a biological and social standpoint as well as safe ANAL sex and sexual health specifically regarding gay sex (and straight couples who are into anal) would benefit the main population in terms of understanding (first step towards accepting) homosexuality as a natural occurence, not an "abomination" or "unpardonable sin" or "oddity of nature."

This could also help a lot of gay/lesbian youth who struggle with accepting themselves, most of us remember, at some point, wondering why we felt "different," if we were "normal." That's because, from day 1, we're bombarded with images of heterosexuality as the norm.

Approx. 30% of youth suicides are directly related to sexual orientation, identity and confusion. THIS IS PREVENTABLE.

So, in short, we'll have heteros understanding us from an unbiased, informative, non-religious perspective, gay youth will be less inclined to walk around feeling like The Creature From The Black Lagoon, and young gays will be armed with the (proverbial) tools they need to develop into healthy adults sexually, mentally, and emotionally

I'm aware there would be complications, hostility, any kid, gay or not, who asks a question might end up a target, parents might pull their kids out of the class, religious apologists will swear that this means Dooms Day, but in the context of educating our youth, you'd have to make a DAMMMMMMMMN good argumment to imply that combating ignorance through information would be a BAD thing.

ONLY in America's public education system is educating people undesirable.

This agenda is already being pushed in some schools, here are a few articles:

(this one's old but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about)

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54241

Here's the Christian version, lol, of the hell, fire, and brimstone that will ensue.

http://www.jeremiahproject.com/trashingamerica/homosexeducate.html

Anywho, thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? Thread fail?

Man, I was too quick on the draw. I've gotta learn to read the thread before voting. I voted no because I thought it just wouldn't work. Then I read the thread and posts and when I saw Henry against it, sudden and violent shuddering. I want to change my vote.
I now think teaching it in sex ed would be appropriate. The word about STDs and AIDS is just not getting out to the kids, even the so called straight ones. If the subject came up in social studies, then talk about it, teach the kids. Teachers should be held to a moral standard that should include the gay agenda.

 

[HenryReardon]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

Man, I was too quick on the draw. I've gotta learn to read the thread before voting. I voted no because I thought it just wouldn't work. Then I read the thread and posts and when I saw Henry against it, sudden .

Yeah, maybe you ought to actually read the words people post.
My opening sentence was:

It's a good idea in theory, but putting it into practice wouldn't work, UNLESS...

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Re: Should public schools teach about homosexualit

It's a good idea in theory, but putting it into practice wouldn't work, UNLESS...

"Unless" is sometimes a very disingenuous time. So you're saying "It will work if...."

No one here expects this to be something Obama solves in one John Hancock, but we can either focus on how it isn't likely or try to promote it so it becomes a reality. This agenda is already being pushed in some schools.

A few schools already teach about homosexuality in some capacity and, lo' and behold, the societal structure of these communities didn't fall apart at the seams.

I will say I'm not at all surprised at the negative slant of your posts here. You've barely expressed any persona beliefs about the topic, you just keep railing about "It won't unless" and "It won't work if."

Not surprising at all.