Hilary Clinton once said that, Human rights apply to everyone, no matter who they are or whom they

love. Due to their sexual orientation, young and old people who are a part of the LGBTQ community have been denied basic human rights, such as marrying whomever they love, or treated as less than normal human beings. Thankfully this is starting to change but as minority group they have gone through so much and still have a far way to go to achieve total equality out and inside of the school system. Our population is ever changing, due to this were seeing more diversity in sexual orientation and it is more obvious that the population is not solely heterosexual. Sexual Orientation is an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes. Most heterosexual people never put much thought into their sexual orientation because they see themselves as the norm, but the American Psychological Association indicates that different orientations are normal forms of human bonding. When talking about ones sexual identity or orientation, commonly used terms are: heterosexual, straight, homosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer. In the late 1800s and early 1900s homosexuality was viewed as a sin, sickness or crime; in 1973 the APA labeled it as a mental illness. Due to this a few of these terms came about due to the negative historical development of the term homosexual or homosexuality, which came in use in 1869 in Leipzig, Germany. Sexual orientation includes not only the gender to which one is sexually attracted,

but also the diversity within genders, such as transgender or intersex. Transgender is when a person identifies themselves as the opposite sex and by doing so may change their social gender by dressing like the other sex (transvestites) or surgically changing their genitals and altering other characteristics (transgender). People who are intersex are individuals born with an anatomy that does not clearly identify their sex. The Q in LGBTQ stands for questioning or

queer. Questioning is for those who are not quite sure of their sexual orientation or are not ready to claim a label or their identity. Queer is applied to anybody that is not heterosexual and allows certain fluidity across the categories. Along with this term came the queer theory which questions basic assumptions about relationships, identity, gender, and sexual orientation by challenging the dual categories of man/woman, masculine/feminine, student/teacher and gay/straight. So when we hear statements such as queering the curriculum or queering straight teachers they are encouraging a viewpoint that does not see just one sexual orientation as the norm. When discussing sexual orientation a major question, and in turn controversy, arises: why some people are not heterosexual? There are two main differing viewpoints. The first is the scientific view which believes people do not choose homosexuality, but are born with it. Researchers have explored genes, the brain, hormones and prenatal chemistry. Others hold the belief that it is due to the hypothalamus, heredity or environmental factors. None of these have been scientifically proven. The second view is from a religious standpoint. There are religious groups that believe one chooses whether or not to be gay. In many of their opinions this is not acceptable and they push youths or adults into programs where they be normal and denounce their LGBT identity and choose to be heterosexual. Whether or not it is a choice has not been proven either and both sides attempt to make strides in proving their beliefs. Continuing with the basis of science though, we come upon Alfred Kinsey who was a zoologist that studied sexual behavior. The outcome of his study was a 7-ppoint scale between absolute heterosexuality and absolute homosexuality. The in between would be those who are bisexual or have just been attracted to or had sexual relations with someone of the same sex at some point in

their life. In these modern days, this scale can be broken down even further by todays youths coming up with new labels and terms. Self-identity is about how people decide to identify themselves and more specifically, our sexual orientation identity is based on sexual attractions, related behaviors and a connection with others with the same orientation. Most researchers agree that sexual orientation is established early on in life; kids as early as six years old have a sense that they are sexually different from their peers and young people start identifying themselves as LGBTQ in middle school. These LGBT students/individuals seem to move through stages of development as they become more comfortable with their identity. Stage 1 is realizing that one is sexually attracted to a person of the same-sex. This may confuse some and lead to them questioning the actuality of their developing sexual identity. Stage 2 is exploring or experimenting, often through testing relationships with the opposite sex, to determine whether they are LGBT. Stage 3 is identifying oneself with a label and stage 4 is feeling comfortable with ones sexual identity to come out. Outside sources such as, family, peers and teachers play key roles in how adjusted these individuals become. If one is not surrounded by supportive people they could feel isolated, abnormal and depressed leading to underperforming academically or attempting suicide. Establishing ones self-identity and feeling comfortable and safe with it can lead to a very fulfilling future and if not it could hinder ones future. We each have multiple identities that influence our membership into different cultural groups; they may be our race, ethnicity or religion. For instance, racism within the gay community can lead to a lack of support from the larger LGBT community. Also heterosexism (the discrimination or prejudice against homosexuals on the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm) outside of the LGBT community leads to the intolerance and exclusion of homosexual

people from certain religious, ethnic or racial groups. While compared white LGBT members, LGBTQ students of color are more likely to be harassed and assaulted due to both their sexual identity and their race or ethnicity. This intensifies if they are at a school where they are part of the racial or ethnic minority. Native Americans also experience this due to their religion or perceived religion. These are all forms of culture wars. Similar to other minorities, the LGBTQ community has faced its fair share of ups and downs while fighting for sexual equity. Starting between 1927 and 1967 the state of New York banned sexual perversion from being a theme in plays and similar bans were placed on movies. Well-known authors continued using the theme in their books and screenplays and musical artists such as Elvis and Chuck Berry used themes of sensuality and rebellion against societys rules, yet they did so in a heterosexual manner. This is also the time period when the Beats generation came about. It was a generation made up of young men and women who used prose and poetry to go against the rules and norms set by society. Sexual freedom and the celebration of their gayness were common themes in this sub-culture. Unfortunately the fight for equity did not stay as hands-off and non-violent as it had been, for in the 1950s The Lavender Scare came about. It was a time period when homosexuals were thought to be more of a national security threat than communists. The United States government was purged of 406

homosexual individuals by a signed Executive Order from President Eisenhower in 1953 and continued till the 70s. The 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act banned homosexual immigrants from entering the country. Meanwhile 3,000 gays and lesbians were dismissed from the military annually and others elsewhere were losing their jobs and randomly being arrested; all of this due to their sexual orientation. Thankfully the civil rights movement had been

initiated by African Americans at this time and the LGBT community was not far behind; on

June 27, 1969 the gay rights movement was born. Police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a refuge for gays who were not welcome in any other bars at the time. When the police arrived and started arresting some of the employees and patrons, the crowd that had gathered started throwing anything they had on hand at the police, turning this night into a well-known riot. The next 5 nights people reconvened chanting gay power and cheering for gay liberation and each night it took the police hours to disperse the crowd. Also, in 1973 the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, whose goal was to politically fight the antigay backlash, was formed. As well as the Lambda Legal Defense who began fighting the governments antigay policies in the courts. These were big steps for the gay civil rights movements but at times it just didnt seem to be enough. There was a backlash against some of the progress the LGBTQ community had made when conservative Christians began to influence politics with their views on family values, the nuclear family and marriage between a male and female. They blamed gays for the destruction of the family- due to the increased number of divorces and immoral behaviors. On June 5, 1981 a large group of young men, who were all gay, throughout the United States had contracted a type of pneumonia usually found in cancer patients. A year later it was determined that is was an infection they termed AIDS. Even after non-gays were diagnosed with the disease it was still labeled as a gay disease. It is now a global disease that disproportionately affects women. Finally, progress towards equality was made in the 1980s. Wisconsin passed the first bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sexual orientation was included in the Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Sadly, culture wars continued on in the schools where books about gays and lesbians were removed and people protested rainbow curriculum- curriculum teaching and supporting diversity, including gays and lesbians. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton was

elected and he was the first president to fully and openly support the LGBTQ movement. He attempted to lift the gay/lesbian ban from the military, but due to high resistance from military officials he could not. He instead created the Dont Tell, Dont Ask policy which stayed in effect until December 2010 when it was repealed. On the marriage front, there was still nowhere that gays could legally marry. In 1998 Hawaii was ratifying the legislatures definition of marriage while Alaska was approving a constitutional amendment that restricted marriage to a man and a woman. By 2006, 40 states had passed similar anti-gay marriage legislation. In 2000, Vermont legislature approved civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, allowing them the same benefits/responsibilities of marriage without being legally married. By 2011, six states plus Washington, D.C. and the Coquille Indian tribe in Oregon allowed same-sex marriage. Still statistics show that 45% of the public opposes gay marriages. Moving away from the broader prospective of the LGBT community, we will now go into more depth about the young LGBT community and their schooling/education. When thinking of LGBTQ students at school one must realize that their school environment definitely influences how much they attend and participate in school. Bullying and harassment is extremely common in todays society and heterosexism can lead to harassment in schools. The 2009 National School Climate Survey by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that LGBT students face violence, bias, and harassment in schools. Verbal abuse is most commonly seen among individuals in a school setting and it is report that the statement Thats so gay is one of the most used phrases in schools. Other major forms of bullying include physical bullying, for example half of the students reported being punched, kicked, or injured with a weapon by other classmates. Many times students that are perceived as gay are also the victims of bullying. The suicide rates have risen each year due to bullying and

there are high numbers of suicides for LGBTQ students around the country. They are deeply affected by the terms and physical harassment used against them that there are a number of varied accounts of suicides around the United States. Electronic harassment is another form of bullying that is common among students today. Classmates use text messages, emails, and Internet sites to terrorize their fellow classmates for their sexual orientation. Many students do not report being harassed for the fear that they may be bullied even more. LGBTQ students have few support systems; therefore it is imperative that their school environment is relatively a safe zone made by school professionals. Those who are supported by their schools are reported more likely to attend their classes, feel safer in school, and are more likely to attend college. LGBTQ teachers are very careful in their work environment to not expose their sexual identity for fear of being judged or even fired. They also continuously worry that they may be accused of molestation or inappropriately touching a child. In addition, teachers fear that their homes and cars might be vandalized, that their coworkers may treat them differently, and be the victims of threats and harassment as well. Many school districts follow the military phrase, dont ask, dont tell. When gay and lesbian teachers keep quiet about their sexual identity they do not serve as a positive role model for their LGBTQ students as well as provide support for students who desperately need it. There have been many cases in which teachers have been fired because of their sexual identity. For example, Lawrence v. Texas, in which the U.S Supreme Court found that homosexuals have a right to privacy in their sexual lives. Because of this court cases usually rule in favor of LGBTQ teachers because their teaching is effective and they cause no negative impact on their students. Many teachers still do not feel welcomed in the school environment because of their sexual orientation, which in turn lead to the loss of many great

teachers. Although many do not choose to reveal their sexual identity, those who do provide support for their LGBTQ students. Schools are one of the most important factors in promoting culture and values in society. It is important that teachers involve sexual and ethnic diversity within their curriculum, so that the students feel safer and think of school as a more positive place. Elizabeth J. Meyer came up with four reasons on why teachers should accept and promote sexual diversity in the classroom. First and foremost, student safety is an issue in many schools today; therefore when schools value sexual diversity, students are more likely to respect each other regardless of their sexual identities. In addition, physical and emotional health is another issue when dealing with LGBTQ students. They are more likely than their heterosexual peers to participate in high-risk sexual behaviors or drug and alcohol abuse. LGBTQ students usually feel excluded from the curriculum in schools, thus it is important that they are included in lessons. Also, students need to be engaged in school in order to reach their ultimate academic success. If student are presented with a hostile environment, which many LGBTQ students are, then they are more likely to miss school and cut classes regularly. This hinders their academic performance and will lead to continuous high dropout rates. Today, school districts have made a change and many report that they have incorporated LGBTQ issues in their curriculum. Although school districts report this, only 12% of LGBTQ students report that they are taught anything about their sexual and gender identity. In schools that do include sexual diversity, teachers will incorporate facts on sexual identity in the curriculum. It is imperative that middle school and secondary schools provide sexual diversity in different subjects. For example, in social studies these teachers can provide the history for the LGBTQ struggles in society, as well as discuss several events that are happening in present day

at the local, state, and national level. In literature classes, the teachers can provide books written about LGBTQ individuals and provide book written by LGBTQ authors. In mathematics and science the inclusion of LGBTQ statistics in graphs and charts would be helpful to these students. Sexual diversity should also be included in early childhood and elementary curriculums. Two areas in which issues could be introduced are gender roles and families. Teachers can use pictures of families with LGBTQ parents to promote sexual diversity and show that families who are diverse can successfully raise children. Because LGBTQ in the curriculum is now prevalent in so many schools, there have been issues among parents. A few southern states limit how it is incorporated into sex education classes including Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Parents often use the argument that LGBTQ in the curriculum promotes homosexuality among students. Teachers should always promote a positive environment in the classroom for LGBTQ students. They can encourage understanding of sexual diversity through the presentation of facts, discussions, and debates in which everyone's opinion is respected. Its also important for teachers to learn to present information on LGBTQs without embarrassing them. In addition, educators should also promote the healthy development of self-identified LGBTQ youth in the school setting. The main point for teachers to do is to break the silence that surrounds the discussion of homosexuality. Safe policies are also important for school to have. The overall goal for a school should be to treat all students with equal respect so that they learn to respect each other. 28 states have developed a generic safe school laws to protect students from bullying and harassment. Additionally, 15 states and the District of Columbia have taken an addition step by actually

prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on group membership, including sexual and gender identity. Furthermore, a number of schools have established safe zones for safe spaces for LGBTQ students; it is usually in a specific classroom. These safe spaces may be also marked by a pink triangle. Another goal for the club is that it should students opportunities to celebrate who they are, no matter what their primary identification is. In conclusion, LGBTQ individuals are slowly but surely becoming accepted in society and in school systems. Times have changed dramatically. Allowing same-sex marriage to incorporating LGBTQ information in the curriculum at schools is important for these individuals and students because it allows them to feel more equal as individuals and a whole.