During high school, teenagers seek to understand their identity and gain new confidence and a strong sense of self. However, students can only experience this self-discovery and acceptance when they have access to a supportive and caring atmosphere, which numerous students receive mainly at school. However, some schools do not provide this environment for all students: they fail to give the same encouragement to LGBT students regarding their identities. This dismissal or even demonization leads LGBT students to view their identity as shameful, dirty, and wrong, stopping them from accepting themselves and feeling proud of their character as a whole. Gay-straight alliances, which both LGBT students and their allies can join, provide a space …show more content…
For one thing, the presence of a gay-straight alliance ensures an atmosphere of understanding by teaching students not to use discriminatory language. GLSEN reports, "Homophobic remarks…used in a derogatory manner…are among the most frequently heard types of biased remarks in U.S. schools. Students in schools with GSAs are less likely to hear homophobic remarks in school on a daily basis than students in schools without a GSA (57% compared to 75%)" (Gay-Straight Alliances" 1). Three-fourths of LGBT students at schools without gay-straight alliances hear slurs and other "remarks" made in a "derogatory" manner about their identity, clearly conveying the presence of an intolerant and "homophobic" student body. However, students at schools that have a gay-straight alliance are "less likely" to face an openly prejudiced student body. Because constantly hearing their identity used as an insult makes LGBT students see themselves as inherently wrong, schools must create gay-straight alliances to foster an environment of tolerance. A DallasNews administrator discusses the role all students have in standing against intolerance and opposing all discrimination, writing, "[A] Gay-Straight Alliance is a school club for gay and straight students to stand together against homophobia" ("Gay-Straight Alliances: Creating Safer Schools For LGBT Students And Their Allies"). One important aspect of creating tolerance involves schools demonstrating a refusal to allow intolerance to exist. The creation of a gay-straight alliance allows for students to actively "stand…against homophobia" through a platform that LGBT can see, showing them that their classmates will not allow discrimination or bullying to take place. Gay-straight alliances nurture tolerant school environments where all students refuse to let homophobic attitudes exist, which shows LGBT students that their peers will
We live in a society in which there are people of different race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation etc. people are free to choose whatever path they want to follow and especially with sexual orientation. People know what path they way want to follow at an early age whether they heterosexual, meaning that they are straight or if they are homosexual which means that they are lesbian, transgender, or queer/questioning. In this paper, Ally Training will be discussed as being educational, how heterosexism plays a part in homosexual’s lives, the coming out process, the multicultural world, concerns that homosexual faces, and religion.
Those who become marginalized can lose control of their own lives and the available resources they can access; they can become nothing more than stigmas and often negatively treated in public. Because of this, their social contributions are sometimes hampered and this, consequently, causes them to become socially isolated and/or sufferers of low esteem. Approximately, in America, thirty percent of LGBTQ youth were often abused by their parents over their orientation or gender, with an estimated forty percent of homeless youths identifying as LGBTQ themselves. (Chatterjee) These statistics and stigmas can affect those who haven’t fully comprehend their feeling and those who stay closeted (keeping their sexual orientation or gender identity as a secret) because they fear the possible negative reactions from family and
Through Silence on Gays and Lesbians in Social Studies Curriculum, Thornton (2009) addresses the lack of GLBT issues in the social studies curriculum. By continuing the status quo of the currents social studies curriculum, Thornton believes that educators are affirming heteronormativity and homophobia through the hidden curriculum. By incorporating GLBT issues into the curriculum, social studies will be truly inclusive, reflecting the contribution and existence of all parts of society. By showcasing the achievement of GLBT students, teachers empower GLBT students as they gain an understanding of GLBT contributions and strait students gain and understanding that all human beings have common needs and characteristics" (Thornton, 2009, p.362).
Gays in today’s society face many problems not only with the Media’s eyes, but also on college campuses. Young adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual experience major stresses in managing their sexual orientation.
Henning-Stout, M., James, S., & Macintosh, S. (2000). Reducing harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in schools. School Psychology Review, 29(2), 180.
Many teenagers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans are often bullied by their peers. In 2013 a National School Climate Survey showed that seventy-one point four percent of LGBT students were called gay or other derogatory terms often, fifty-four point six percent also heard comments about not being masculine or feminine enough. Almost fifty-two percent of students reported even hearing homophobic statements from teachers or other school workers. Sixteen point five percent of students were also physically assaulted by other students because of their sexuality. Because of these events, LGBT students were three times more likely to miss school than non-LGBT students, had a lower GPA, and had higher levels of depression. A girl I knew in high school named Donna identified as bisexual and I often saw her being pushed around in the halls and called countless terrible names. This soon lead to her feeling bad about herself, becoming depressed, and even self-harming by cutting and burning her arms. Donna also had to drop out of school and start being homeschooled because of the amount of bullying she encountered on a daily basis. The Trevor Project is a LGBT supportive organization that focuses on bringing awareness to homosexuality in young people, works to provide support for youths that are questioning their sexuality or are depressed because of the effects of bullying, and to prevent suicide among these youths. The Trevor Project explains that LGBT youths are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youths of the same age. This organization also tells us that young people who come out to their families and are rejected by them are eight times more likely to attempt suicide than people who were not pushed away by their families. These numbers are not only alarming,
middle of paper ... ... In addition, being accepted in the gay community can have a positive impact on those persons of the same sexual orientation. Such information is useful to the understanding of human sexuality because we can be so ignorant of things we know nothing about. Individuals with homophobic attitudes may not understand the severity of their comments or behaviors toward homosexuals, and thus by informing them we can help to alter their views.
Currently in today’s society, coming out as gay is easier than admitting to a serious mental problem. This effect puts a burden on teens who suffer from problems and don’t know where to go; which led to the increase of teen suicides as seen in the media. In the average classroom size, about three of the twenty-four students have depression; not mentioning other common disorders such as bipolar disorder, panic disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and eating disorders. Without better programs in schools to prevent and inform about mental disorders, the current taboo on them, the bullying of students suffering, and the romanticization of diseases will continue to increase the negative effect mental disorders have on teens.
Rio 2, is an American 3D animated musical adventure comedy film for all ages produced by Blue Sky Studio and directed by Carlos Saldanha. Rio 2 is the follow-up to the 2011 animated film Rio, and it is the studio's first movie to have a sequel. The title refers to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, where the first film was set and where Rio 2 begins, this time the film was in 3D to give it a life like illusion and to give the images more depth so the viewer feels more involved in the scene, which was pretty cool.
Though many believe that the LGBTQIA+ community has already obtained enough support and help, this shows how people continue to push away the idea of LGBTQIA+, causing them to be mistreated. The refusal to admit the existence of LGBTQIA+ topics causes pain to those in the community. If topics were better addressed and educated instead of pushed away, individuals would feel less pain and suffering due to confusion about their identity. Professionals are not the ones who would be able to better benefit society by being better educated about how to interact with LGBTQIA+ individuals, and education should extend to students as well. If education regarding LGBTQIA+ topics were not as taboo, students would interact with members of the community with less confusion and hatred, and with more understanding.
“What’s the big whoop?” asks a cute, blonde, elementary school aged boy when his teacher discusses homosexuality. He didn’t understand why people cared who other people loved. Little kids are perfect examples of how society’s negativity towards homosexuality creates homophobia. Children don’t understand why it matters who you love because they don’t see it as a problem and their opinions aren’t clouded by stereotypes. If LGBT issues were taught to these innocent, uninvolved children in elementary school, it would be more likely they would be accepting as they grew up. It is important to present LGBT in a positive light before parents, classmates, and media influence their perceptions.
Exploring this particular theory in an educational context has both advantages and disadvantages for a student’s overall well-being. By promoting an inclusive and positive outlook towards the diversity of student sexual identities, students feel accepted and free to express themselves which, therefore, contributes positively to their emotional and social wellbeing. The school
Baker, Jean M. How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home, at School, and in the Community. New York: Harrington Park, 2002. Print.
The LGBT community consists of those who consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The community is that of your students and your neighbors. They’re ages prime and odd with heights low and high. Microorganisms of innocence and a different air are born and so soon a subject of tribute to a bias life. For example, religion is predominantly introduced at a young age through upbringings and surroundings.
...that school officials can be held responsible if they fail to take steps to protect gay and lesbian students from antigay harassment. The changing educational climate has created a need for school leaders to identify tools, and strategies and programs that will enhance the success of all students. The decision making process used by administration also impacts how other in the organization view them (Dalton, 2006).