Sexual Orientation

NARD, KETURAH, JOHN, JESSICA AND KYLA

Guided Imagery

Guided Imagery Discussion Questions

- How would it feel to live in such a world and
what would it feel like if they had to keep so
many secrets about themselves?
- Discuss what those feelings might lead them
to do if this were a real situation.

Heterosexual Questionnaire

1. What do you think caused your heterosexuality?

2. When and how did you first decide you were heterosexual?
3. Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?
4. Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a fear of others of the same sex?
5. If you have never slept with a member of your own sex, is it possible that you might be
gay if you tried it?
6. If heterosexuality is normal, why are so many mental patients heterosexual?
7. Why do you heterosexual people try to seduce others into your lifestyle?
8. Why do you flaunt your heterosexuality? Can't you just be who you are and keep it quiet?
9. The great majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it safe to expose
your children to heterosexual teachers?
10. With all the societal support that marriage receives, the divorce rate is spiraling. Why are
there so few stable relationships among heterosexual people?
11. Why are heterosexual people so promiscuous?
12. Would you want your children to be heterosexual, knowing the problems they would face,
such as heartbreak, disease, and divorce?

Sexual Orientation Definition

Formula
A _________ is a person who forms
loving and sexual relationships
with a person or who has
continuing affectional, emotional
and/or erotic attraction to
someone of the _________ sex.

Sexual Orientation Definitions

Sexual Orientation: a person's sexual identity in relation to the gender to
which they are attracted; the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual, or
bisexual.
Heterosexual: sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.
Homosexual: a person who is sexually attracted to people of their own sex.
LGBT: acronyms for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. LGBTQ, LGBTQA QQueer (gay), A- Asexual (a person who has no sexual feelings or desires.)
Homophobia: dislike of or prejudice against homosexual people.
Heterosexism:is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of
opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that
other people are heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and
relationships
are the only norm and therefore superior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dv25Oa0iB0

Same Sex Rights in Canada

1969- Homosexuality decriminalized in Canada
1977- Canadian immigration act amended to lift ban on
homosexual immigrants
1992- Canada lifted ban on homosexuals in the Canadian forces
1994- The Supreme Court ruled that gays and lesbians could
apply for refugee status based on their sexual orientation
1996- Sexual orientation was added to the Canadian Human
Rights Act
2005- gay marriage legalized in Canada

History of Sexual Orientation

-1st Century BCE: China
Considered a sign of cultural elitism

-6th Century BCE: Greece

Male homosexuality was an accepted phenomenon practiced
by high status individuals

-16th Century: South Africa

Wealthy and powerful women could marry other women

-1940s: USA
Homosexuals involuntarily ocmmited to psychiatric facilities
and subjected to conversion therapy

Iconic Symbols
THE PINK TRIANGLE

THE RAINBOW FLAG

Challenges

John oliver on lgbt discrimination:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d667Bb_iYA

Challenges Globally
-illegality
-death penalties
-arrests and protests
-dont ask dont tell
-media and the positive and negatives that
come with

Challenges at Home
-Fear of coming out
-Unacceptance/abandonment
-physical threats
-psychological abuse

What is Heterosexism
A system of oppression, based on homophobia, of persons
who display non-heterosexual behaviours or identities.
Three components:
The assumption that all people are heterosexual
Prejudice and discrimination against persons who are
lesbian, gay, or bisexual based on the assumption that
heterosexuality is the only normal sexual orientation
and therefore preferable
Systemic display of homophobia in societal institutions,,
laws, and policies by excluding the needs, concerns, and
life experiences of persons who are lesbian, gay, or

Examples of Heterosexism
Assuming that everyone you meet is heterosexual
Assuming that everyone has or is interested in having an opposite-sex partner
Assuming that all mothers and fathers are heterosexual
Assuming that all children live in families with a male-female couple in parental
roles
Using language that presumes heterosexuality in others, such as husband and
wife, instead of gender neutral language such as partner
Denying equal employment benefits to people with same-sex partners (i.e.
spousal insurance)
Omitting any discussion of homosexuality or persons who are lesbian, gay, or
bisexual as part of educational curricula

Heterosexual Privilege
1. I can refer to my husband throughout the work day and claim that
we dont know anyones sexual orientation, we dont talk about that
at work
2. I can hold the hand of the person I love in public without fear of
contempt, verbal harassment, or violence
3. When someone recommends a realtor, therapist, landscaper, house
cleaner, etc. I dont need to ask if they are comfortable and willing to
work with heterosexuals
4. I can expect to be around others of my sexuality most of the time
and not worry about being the only one of my sexuality in a class,
job, or social situation
5. I have many role models of my gender and sexual orientation

Name Calling
Which names do boys get called that suggest
that they are too feminine?
Which names do girls get called that suggest
that they are too masculine?
Which names suggest that the boys are
gay/girls are lesbians?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZwcnxdz5lQ

Discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7k1GIl-xQ
What do you think of the teachers reaction? How would you react to
this?

What do you feel would be the appropriate age/grade to teach about

sexual orientation? Primary, Intermediate, or Secondary?

Teaching about sexual

orientation
There is no specific criteria for teaching about sexual orientation in schools.

http://
publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/aspc-phac/HP5-97-2-2011-eng.p
df

The best protection the Canadian government can provide is through Bill C-13
Canadas Anti-bullying law. However..

Anti-bullying
The anti-bullying law excludes language referring to sexual orientation

Statistics of children bullied in schools

based on their sexual orientation
Actual or perceived sexual orientation is the number 2 reason students are bullied. Appearance is number
1
Among the findings ofthe 2009 CanadianClimate Survey on Homophobia :
59 per centof LGBTQ high school students reported they were verbally harassed, compared toseven per
centof non-LGBTQ students.
25 per centof LGBTQ students indicated being physically harassed due to their sexual orientation,
compared toeight per centof non-LGBTQ students.
31 per centof LGBTQ students reported personal harassment on the internet or via text messaging,
compared toeight per centof non-LGBTQ students.
73 per centof LGBTQ studentsreported they felt unsafe at school, compared to20 per centwho did not.
51 per centof LGBTQ studentsreported they did not feel accepted at school, compared to19 per
centofnon-LGBTQ students
(Cbc.ca, 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-wy8nSYp7o

Sexual Orientation included in Sex

Ed: What is happening across Canada
Toronto
Challenging Homophobia And
Heterosexism: A K-12 Curriculum Resource
Guide
https://canadianvalues.ca/ICV/TDSB_Equity%20_
%20InclusiveCurriculum_Seepage
%2010%20_.pdf

Key points
Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3:
Broaden the students concept of family diversity
Familiarize students with terms such as gay and lesbian
Teach a drama activity that encourages girls and boys to
role-play opposite roles discuss bullying and derogatory
words explain Pride Week
Ask students to make posters for the TDSB float in Pride
Parade
Help students host their own Pride Parade

Key points
Grade 4-6:
Show children images from LGBTQ
publications discuss case studies such as
Siobhans Story, which is about a young
woman who was called a lezzie and
dyke for joining an anti-sexism club
Discuss gender-role stereotyping.

Key points
Grade 7-12:
Set up a Kissing Booth a stamp on the cheek, or
a few chocolate Kisses where students
broadcast a slide show of anti-homophobic
messages
Create an anti-homophobia education display and
mentioning contributions of LGBTQ community
members during daily morning announcements.

Discussion
What do you think of Torontos Challenging Homophobia And
Heterosexism: A K-12 Curriculum Resource Guide?
Do you think it is appropriate or inappropriate? Why?
Would you feel comfortable teaching these activities and
discussing these issues with your students? Do you feel
that they are introducing these issues at too early an age?

In B.C.
Sexual Orientation appears in the grade 4 curriculum
It is suppose to be taught by teachers but is often omitted
If we are consciously choosing to omit teaching about sexual orientation, is it
just as bad as choosing to not accept people based on their sexual
orientation?
What kind of message are we sending to students?

Climate quiz
Does your school have a core values or mission statement that includes
respect for diversity?
In the last 3 years has your school held workshops for educators on gender
identity, gender roles and stereotypes, or families with same-gender parents?
In the last two weeks, have I heard students engage in name-calling related to
gender non-conformity (sissy, wimp, wuss, fairy) or sexual orientation (gay,
fag, dyke, queer etc.)
Does the school staff always intervene in name-calling related to gender nonconformity or sexual orientation?
Does your school library have books that depict a range of gender identities
and expression, including diverse families?

What we as educators can do

Awareness
Be knowledgeable
be un-biased/no personal viewpoints
Be open
Set up an open forum
Make students feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe and
supported
implement clear policies, procedures, and activities designed to
promote a healthy environment for all youth

Discussion question:
Is it possible to teach sexual
orientation without showing
your personal bias?
If no, why not?
If yes, How would you go about
implementing discussion into your
classroom?

Scenarios

Supporting LGBTQ Students and

Staff
The website provides lesson plans to teachers as well. There categorized into the follow: All
Grades, Primary (Kindergarten- Grade 3), Intermediate (Grades 4-7), Secondary (Grades 812).
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/making_space/mkg_spc_intr.pdf
Awareness and understanding of the diversity that exists
Within our societydifferences that are visible (e.g., race, ethnicity, sex, age, physical ability) and
differences that are less visible (e.g., culture, ancestry, language, religious beliefs, sexual orientation,
gender identity, socioeconomic background, mental ability)
Support for the achievement of social justice for all
People and groupsparticularly in ensuring that peoples backgrounds and circumstances do not
prevent them from achieving the full benefits of participation in society, and in addressing injustice
faced by those who historically have been and today frequently continue to be marginalized, ignored,
or subjected to discrimination or other forms of oppression.

This was a great find, this package provides teachers a Self-Assessment. Titles How I address
Diversity and social justice in my Teaching Practice.

Teaching a Kindergarten Class

about Different Types of Families
In groups discuss how will you introduce to a Kindergarten class different types of families.
i.e. what types are there?
1. Adoptive or Foster Parents
2. Blended Families
3. Couples without Children
4. Extended Families
5. Inter-Racial Families
6. Opposite Gender Parents
7. Same Gender Parents
8. Single Parent
There are books, relating to the different types of families, that are focused at grade levels. Whos in A Family? by Robert Skutch
or All Families are Special by Norma Simon. Next we will go over a lesson plan together

The lesson Plan for a K Class

The outcomes are: to teach students that a variety of family models exist.
That all families are equally important. To encourage students to be proud of
their families.
Reading the book by Whos in A Family? by Robert Skutch or All Families are
Special by Norma Simon. Instruct the class to look for different types of
families. Recording on a large paper, ask the class Whos in a family? write
down key words and pictures symbols (i.e. peoples heads) this will help the
non-readers identify who is who.
3 key principals for this activity
1. Be careful not to draw girls and boys in gender stereotypical ways (i.e.
stick figures with skirts or pants) or using gendered colours (i.e. pink and
blue).
2. Be aware of socio-economic status of families in your classroom.
3. Do not stigmatize families living in poverty or different family models in
your comments and actions.

Organizations out of schools

Gay Straight Alliances

What are GSAs?

There are many types of support groups for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. These groups
can have transgender students, students, and teachers. Some groups dont have transgender
students, because gender identity is a significantly different issue than sexual orientation.
Websites
LGBT Youth Resources: Questioning Youth; Transgender Youth; and Youth with LGBT
Parents.
LGBT & Questioning (http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/youth/LGBT&questioning.html )
Transgender Youth (http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/youth/trans-gender.html )
Youth with LGBT Parents (http://
www.safeschoolscoalition.org/youth/youth-with-LGBTparents.html )

PFLAG
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
http://www.pflagcanada.ca/en/index.html

In closing
What will you do on your spring
practicum in order to create an
inclusive environment and help
students to learn about the LGBTQ
community?

Resources
Cbc.ca,. (2015).Bullying and sexual orientation by the numbers. Retrieved 18
October 2015, from http://
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bullying-and-sexual-orientation-by-the-numbers-1.
909444
(2015). Retrieved 18 October 2015, from http://
publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/aspc-phac/HP5-97-2-2011-eng.
pdf
Phac-aspc.gc.ca,. (2014).Questions and Answers: Sexual Orientation in
Schools - Public Health Agency of Canada. Retrieved 18 October 2015, from
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/rp/so-os/hs-ss-eng.php
Advocates for Youth,. (2001). Heterosexual Questionnaire. Retrieved 27
October 2015, from
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/for-professionals/lesson-plans-professiona
ls/223?task=view

Resources Cont.

BCTeachersFederationstakingAction:Anti-HomophobiaEducationinSchools
The BCTF has developed respectful action plans for teachers if they chose to take action to
To advocate for change at the school boards, within district committees or union or school level on LGBTQ
1. Inform yourself of policies passed by the BCTF in support of LGBTQ students, staff, and anti-homophobia education.
2. Work with students who are concerned about homophobia and transphobia in schools to prepare a presentation to the local school
trustees.
3. Document incidents of homophobic harassment and graffiti at the school level and request action from administration and school
board officials.

4. Address homophobic comments when you hear them made in your classes or hallways and
encourage your colleagues to do the same. Congratulate staff who actively promote antihomophobia and try to build safe places. For some suggestions on how to deal with homophobic
comments, please see our resource section and go to How to Handle Harassment in the Hallways
in Three Minutes.
.The BCTF has passed and demonstrated these motions in their website. They can be found here:
http://www.bctf.ca/SocialJustice.aspx?id=17918