This discussion of sexual orientation couldn’t have come at a more opportune time in this class. There are so many things going on in our country right now that are bringing homosexual rights to the forefront of political discussion. This article is something that is quite controversial, is something that needs to be discussed. Our discussions of discrimination have primarily been centered on race but the discrimination of sexual orientation is something that is very real in our society. The story of Matthew Shepard shows us that we as educators need to teach discrimination on all aspects. We as a society should not have a society where people are killed just over their sexual orientation. I personally believe that homosexuality is wrong, but that is just my opinion. I wouldn’t want anyone to tell me how I was to love, and I don’t believe that I or anyone else should have this right either. I think that we are making some progress in today’s society with this issue. Homosexuality is all over television, from South Park to Will and Grace to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. It is becoming more mainstream and common to be of a different sexual orientation that it is, I think, on the verge of becoming accepted. I’m not sure who long this will actually take, but if we continue to teach about discrimination and equality in our classrooms then we might get their sooner than we think.

Tell me WHY you think it's "wrong." Is it wrong on the same level of "I think watching porn is wrong"? Or is it wrong on the same level of "I think the Buddists are wrong"? Or perhaps wrong on the level of "I don't think people should tattoo their bodies because it's not natural?" YES! Make our kids aware that differences are good, but what about US? How can you preach what you don't practice? How can we tell our students that diversity & differences are GOOD when we don't really believe it? Gimme a break.

I don't believe that I am not practicing what I am preaching. I was saying that we should accept differences in others. If we personally believe them to be right or wrong shouldn’t have a bearing on how we treat that person. My religious beliefs keep me from accepting homosexuality as something that I could practice, this being the level to which I find it wrong. I’m not saying though, that they are wrong and should all go to hell. That is why I feel that I am still practicing what I am preaching. I think acceptance of others is what is important.

I really respect you, Andrew, for saying that even though you don't agree with homosexuality you feel that it's important to teach your students to respect everyone. I know a lot of people that have problems with homosexuality and want to teach their own children that it's wrong and should be looked down upon. It's so refreshing to hear someone say that even though they may think it's wrong, they know that they should teach students to accept all people, no matter how they personally feel about them. I personally am all for homosexuality-I think that gay marriages should be completely legal. However, the way I teach my children should be the same as someone who doesn't agree with homosexuality-we should teach students to accept and respect everyone, no exceptions.

Andrew said it so well. I wanted to say what he said. I just had a hard time with the words. Students should be taught to respect others and this falls into the category of teaching tolerence.

this kinda gets into a little bit of what i was trying to get at a while back when erin and i got into that discussion about the teacher who taught the lesson on child labor. i read the article and felt he was teaching in a way that pushed his views. i'm totally against that - in any form or fashion.

it doesnt matter what i think about homosexuality or whether or not i think its right or wrong. i can have my opinion and still present the topic to students in a completely neutral manner. i see thats what andrew was trying to get at, and i think leigh-ann saw that. i mean, we can all get into a discussion about our own personal beliefs and WHY we have them, but thats not the issue. when it comes to our students, our own personal beliefs (for the most part) should be laid aside in order to teach diversity and acceptance.

i, personally, don't 100% support homosexuality. so what? i have gay friends and i know i'll have gay students in my classroom. i'll always be conflicted with my own personal views, but to me, HUMANITY, and interacting with fellow human beings on an emotional level is way more important than what i might believe in the back of my mind. but to some today, HUMANITY doesnt override their own personal beliefs. people are constantly focused on themselves - we're in a very egocentric society. when we can look past what we think and feel about someone, we can see more people on an eye-to-eye basis and the discrimination and prejudice will slowly start to subside. but until we start looking at the world from an "outside to in" perspective, rather than an "inside to out," the "I" of the situation will always come into play before the collective and general "WE."

Great response Andrew. I was curious as to what your response would be, but it made me laugh that you were like.. uhh.. I can't be gay & that's why I dont agree with it. That was awesome, I think I understand more where you are coming from now & I hope I didn't offend you. It's difficult to understand what people really MEAN sometimes in written form when there is no face to look at. Thanks for your reply.