Poet, I'm off to watch my game...but J. has some thoughts to share.
Poet, I promise to join the thread as soon as I am finished with teaching my courses this Fall. I do have some experiences with this discussion about gays/lesbians and would like to put in my two cents worth on this topic.
Obviously, the discussion about gays/lesbians is not a women vs men topic...after all, that is the issue. I have been screaming for years that no child/adult should be assaulted, teased or harassed for being a different size, differently-able academically, and certainly not for being a different color, faith or sexual orientation. Tolerance has been my main theme for close to forty years of teaching.
However, I also teach students that your words and actions determine what will be the first impression that people have of you. I do not tolerate an " in-your-face" attitude from any student...in Grade 1, J.H., H.S. or in graduate school. We must stand up for what we believe but never do that at the expense of others. The saddest examples of intolerance include our students with physical, emotional or behavioral issues...these are the tortured young people in our society. No one should use their pride to protect their prejudice...pride in oneself never allows for the hatred of another...it is the person with poor self esteem that turns on another.
I currently teach in a very liberal university. Diversity is celebrated( which I applaud!)but it is not universal on this campus. At a faculty meeting a short time ago, we were asked to support a bake sale which was being sponsored by the Gay/Lesbian Alliance. We all got up and bought our cookies and returned to the meeting. The following week, someone mentioned that the Christian Alliance was sponsoring a bake sale and asked that we not participate. No one moved until I protested...and then they all bought their goodies. If a university is to show that they are supportive of divergent thinking, all or none of the activities should have the same value.
I have many gay/lesbian friends at the university. Their sexual orientation is a small part of their value to their profession. Their partners are always included in our activities and we display our families on our desks proudly...whatever those families consist of.
The point that you made about the young man's parent's acceptance of his gayness...was in fact incorrect. He is a dear, bright, handsome and hopefully, now a fulfilled young man since he has "come out". He was more surprised from our family's reaction(18 cousins and 10 aunts and uncles) than anyone was of his disclosure. I have been encouraging him for years to be honest with all...and they were all and still are supportive of his life. His sexual orientation is a small part of this incredible, young man who will give his life for the service of others. None of his cousins think less of him...in fact, they constantly tell him how proud they are of him (not just in his personal life but in his whole life). He loves his parents and they and he celebrate their similarities and differences.(I have never had a child make the same disclosure, but I hope we would be as accepting and loving as they all are with each other.)
Eleanor is my role model and I don't care who she slept with nor who Franklin slept with...she was a caring, loving and courageous woman in a difficult time. I applaud her life and hope that she felt love.
Thanks for listening,
J
P.S My dear husband is supportive of all that I do and believe...he just loves to spar...and I always win! |
