Patricia Bernabe-Alonso

FHS 2450 Human Sexuality

Instructor: Michael Peterson
March 9, 2018

SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN SCHOOLS

QUESTION:
Students in high schools across the United States are beginning to appreciate the benefits of
forming gay/lesbian/bi/transgender/straight alliances. These are groups that share information
and support for all students in dealing with sexuality and sexual identity including sexual
orientation. What is your opinion about these groups? Should high schools provide the facilities
and forum for groups of this nature? Why or why not? If high schools allow gay/lesbian clubs,
should gay/lesbian teachers be allowed to discuss their sexual orientation with their students?

ANSWER:
Schools should have these groups and more I believe children should not hide who they
are. They should be able to embrace it and other people should accept them just the way they are
if it doesn’t hurt anyone else. Groups like these help those students who are having problems
knowing who they are and if they get shut out from their family and not being supported the only
support they will have are these types of groups. There are children who understand what they
are going through and will be able to help them.
Schools should not only provide groups of this nature, but they should also provide
sexual education classes, some schools might do that but there should be more schools that do. I
also believe that there should be a class that is offered to parent so that they understand the
importance of talking to their children about sexuality and sexual identity. Knowing the correct
way to speak to their children and the correct questions to ask and not blame or express
frustration. Groups like this will help children understand themselves and not feel excluded,
because sometimes that ends in suicide and they can get help before it goes that far.
Being gay/lesbian/bi/transgender or anything else does not mean that you have a disease,
and it doesn’t mean that you are different from anyone even if there are people who don
understand. “Persons who have had little contact with gays, who are male and who believe that
homosexuality is a choice are most likely to have negative attitudes towards homosexuals
(Chonody, 2013). Other factors associated with intolerance towards lesbians and gays include
Christian religious values, being first-year college student, and selecting a major other than the
arts and science (Holland et al.,2012).” (Knox & Milstein, 2017, p 210). Some people are
imposed to be afraid of other sexualities that are not heterosexual, and as parents this needs to
change, and we need to let our children know that everyone should be treated the same.
Religion is a big factor of gay/lesbian/bi/transgender not being accepted, and if we allow
clubs of religion we should also allow gay lesbian clubs. I am for all clubs even gay/lesbian clubs
because children will have a place to belong to when they feel that the world is against them. I
as a parent will never allow my children to feel left out and if they were to come to me and said
that they are gay/lesbian/bi/transgender, I would accept them just the way they are and would
encourage them to be in a club that would help them understand their sexuality.
I would not mind if the teacher let their student know if they are gay or lesbian as long as
it is kept professional. If this was to help the gay/lesbian/bi/transgender club and give them
examples of to help the students with the problems they are going through I would applaud it.
Sometimes the best way to learn is by example or with life experiences. I had a teacher for my
marriage and family sociology class that would give us examples of his marriage and that help
me learn more about the subject.

Reference List:
Knox, D., & Milstein, S. (2017). Human Sexuality: Making Informed Decisions (5th ed.) [with Salt Lake
Community College supplement]. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing.