Death should never be an option.

Safe Spaces : Argument

                     This author ,Gerri August argues that the social and psychological development of young people needs to be considered by any adult interested in creating safe spaces for LGBT youth. August argues that this is something greatly lacking in the American school system. Using verbal messaging such as slurs,jokes, prejudicial comments or even something less audible such as a look or lack of intervening ,behavior like this can communicate that it is unacceptable to be LGBT. It is incorrect verbal and non-verbal messages like these that are received by students to create a great disconnect. Young people that are LGBT or come from families of parents that are begin to feel invisible ,vilified and misrepresented. When these feelings begin to arise they can lead to horrible consequences. Aside from terrifying bullying, alienation and feeling of loneliness ,depression can also harm these children. Many young people can sink to such a horrible level where they can feel suicide is better than the torment they are experiencing. This should NEVER be the option.

This argument is one that needs to be talked about. This conversation needs to be had by educators and parents alike.I feel that this writing takes on many good points to introduce this topic. To not talk about the LGBT community is also a way of discriminating it.Young people that are familiar or not with LGBT perspectives need to know they exist. Of course they're are age appropriate themes the same could be said for heterosexuality. Young children do not need to know the "birds and bees" part of the conversation but they do need to know the basics.

When learning about the family unit, children should be made aware that there are many
kinds of families. Simply showing a "mommy & daddy" or just a "mommy" or "daddy" and then saying "oh by the way some people also have two mommies" is not o.k. It  should not be something that is added on as a extreme example it should be referred to as just as important. All families should be represented equally. When all families are represented and appreciated young people can feel as though they belong in the conversation. As students get older it is also important to relay the importance the LGBT community has had on our country and in our history. This should not be ignored.

It is especially important in this conversation to include the transgender community. Some students can feel they do not belong to a particular gender. Sometimes even though it may not be intentional teachers can make students feel like they have to fit into one gender or another. An example of this was provided by August referring to the transgender student that didn't want to be grouped by her teacher as either male or female. Students need to know that everyone is unique.

October 11 is national Coming Out Day !!!!

The main point of this writing is to further elaborate that "one size does not fit all". Not everyone can be fit into a particular category. It is the job of parents ,educators and leaders to create acceptance. Young people need to know no matter what gender someone chooses to love it's not something to be feared. Humans are all different and we all have different views, it is no one's place to say what gender someone can love or what gender someone is suppose to be. Everyone should be allowed to make their own choices. These choices are something that should be celebrated and shared.

Question for the class.
What are some ways we as future teachers and youth development workers can create a sense of acceptance towards the LGBT community?

   Website:
 Human Rights Campaign
This website is one that is teaching acceptance.