This year, I have decided to start an LGBT club for the students on my campus. Though our student population at my campus barely exceeds four hundred, we have several students that identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual—with two transgender students on our campus as well. One of the greatest attributes of our school is the number of clubs that we have. We have chess club, rocket club, glee club, community service club, the list goes on. But, our LGBT students have yet to gather.
The idea came to me a few weeks ago my when my students were answering the writing prompt- “Can justice ever be achieved or must people always strive for equality?” I like using this prompt in class because it’s an excellent segue into our novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Though the theme of the prompt and the novel are tied in their discussion of racial discrimination, it didn’t take long for our discussion of modern inequality to transition into the subject of LGBT rights. When the discussion began however, I noticed some discomfort emanating from several of my students.
Though many of my students are in support of LGBT rights, there are always a few in every classroom that have been raised to believe that marriage should only take place between a man and a woman—an idea that I find very difficult to openly refute in class without rocking the boat. This is an issue that really frustrates me as a teacher, because I have had so many gay students over the years that I want to support. But, as a teacher, I find it difficult to voice my personal belief that to be gay is natural, that it is not a choice, that it is nothing to be ashamed of, without worrying about upsetting the students and their parents that might feel otherwise. I fear the repercussions of taking such a political stance in my classroom, even though I don’t believe that gay marriage is even a political issue, but a basic human right.
When it comes to racial inequality or women’s rights, I can tell them exactly what I believe; people are people, they should have the same rights. I even pose questions to them to get them thinking: Why are women still paid less for doing the same job as men? Why are African-American shooting victims criminalized while white mass shooters are publicized as upstanding citizens that snapped, or as it is more often argued, were driven to their actions by the outside world?
When talking to my students about racial issues and gender issues, I am fearless. I can tell them exactly what I think, and more importantly, what they should be thinking about as well. But, when it comes to telling them what I really think about gay rights, I can feel my trepidation about saying that there is no good reason why gay people cannot enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else. I don’t know if I can say that without implying that the religious beliefs of some people are not justification for denying gay people their basic rights. Though I believe that individuals should not use their faith as a means to discriminate against others, I am fearful of the consequences of taking such a position in my classroom.
What I am not afraid to do for my gay students, is speak up when other students have tried to stigmatize being gay by using the word as a negative epithet, or by making gay jokes. This is far more than what was done by my teachers when I was in high school. I remember flushing with anger and frustration when my own friends were mocked for being gay by our peers while our teachers sat close by, going about their business.
When students try to use the word “gay” as a negative adjective, or far worse, call each other the derogatory “f” word, I address it immediately. I let my students know that using words like “gay” or calling someone the “f” word, implies that being gay is negative in itself, and that they should be very cautious, because they could be hurting the feelings of someone they love. I make it a point to let my students know that I have no tolerance for any demeaning language referring to race, gender, or sexuality—stating that even if they are joking, those words and jokes are rooted in hate, they are meant to objectify that group of people and dehumanize them, boiling them down to a single feature that is not even valid. I want my students to understand that making jokes that mock people for their skin color, for their gender, or sexual orientation just promotes the issue, by making it acceptable to spread those types of comments. When I express this to my students however, it does not escape me that I am only keeping my students safe temporarily.
I can protect my LGBT students while they are in my classroom, but what is it like for them when they are out on their own, when no one has their back? I think about my hesitation to take a political stand on gay rights in my classroom, and wonder what it must be like to stand up for yourself, by yourself, on a daily basis? How do my students feel when they are questioned, singled out, or targeted by others, for a part of their very nature that they did not choose, but were born with? I remember having crushes on boys as a very small child; it was never something I chose. I try to imagine how terrible it must be for some of my students to be surrounded by people who would scorn them if they came out. How young were they when they learned that they would be persecuted for telling the truth, by their friends, perhaps by their family. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and fear they have endured.
Reflecting on my students’ struggle has demonstrated to me that I have no right to be afraid to show where I stand on gay rights. I can show my students my support by creating a safe place in my classroom where LGBT students can meet, socialize, and share their stories. I want my students to understand just how many LGBT teenagers there are, not just in the world, but on our very campus, so they can see that they are not alone, and that they have nothing to be ashamed of. I want to invite LGBT allies, to give their friends a chance to show their support. Perhaps, we can invite other students to learn more about gay, bisexual, and transgender people, so they can make up their own minds about what it means to be LGBT, rather than subscribing to other people’s negative opinions.
I’m starting the LGBT club this month, and will be posting updates on our activities and discussions. I would like to hear some of your suggestions for activities we could have in our club. I am planning a potluck picnic, and a pride ribbon day, where we can decorate symbols of pride for our students to wear. I would love to hear more ideas about activities that would help the students get to know each other and feel comfortable sharing. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
Vivian Maguire is a teacher and a parent in El Paso, Texas. Follow her on Twitter @Maguireteacher.
