Blog #3: Assignment One Practice Response
The article I chose was by Jen Gilbert and the article is called “Intimate Possibilities: The Beyond Bullying Project and Stories of LGBTQ Sexuality and Gender in US Schools” I chose this topic as it is something I have seen multiple people struggle and these people have been somewhat close to me or I have known them and it is hard to see people struggle with this when they should not have to. Within the article Gilbert talks about how while she was visiting a school, she came across many students who were struggling with fitting in to their school and with classmates as they were afraid of people finding out they were apart of the LGBTQ community. It even points out how students were struggling and falling behind in classes due to feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
They created a bullying project called “Beyond Bullying Project” to help them with realizing it is okay to be different and they do not have to hid who they are. They have come across many young people who are trying to come to terms with wo they are and being comfortable in their bodies “As in other Beyond Bullying stories, wide-ranging desires signaled a sense of sexual possibility, escape from discomfort, freedom to claim a non-normative identity without punishment, and a commitment to remain true to oneself.”(Intimate Possibilities; Jen Gilbert) By them creating this project it is helping many kids with talking it through with someone and actually talking about what they struggle with so they are not alone.
I can possibly use this article for my first assignment to help show and outline how students of the LGBTQ community and how schools can better their programs to help these students fit in and feel like they belong. It can also be used to show that schools lack the programs that talk about the LGBTQ community. For example, my school we did not have a separate Sex Ed class we however, did have a Health class and we lightly touched on the sexual side of it but when we did it never included a talk about the LGBTQ community. The Sex talk we also had in grade 6 also never talked about it either so I think this article can be sued to show how schools need to be more inclusive to other people rather then straight people.
LGBTQ inclusivity in the school system is a great topic to discuss. Jen Gilbert’s article seems to have some great insight on how to stop bullying and create an inclusive atmosphere for all students to succeed. Diversity in the classroom creates the opportunity for all students to learn, grow and challenge their perspective on many societal norms. Teachers need to create an environment where all students belong, regardless of diverse backgrounds. I did not learn very much about the LGBTQ community in high school. We need to integrate this topic more into the school system. Schools need to become more accommodating and accepting of all students.
I love that you chose a topic which has an impact on the lives of others around you which leads you to be interested in creating change for the LGBTQ communities within the school curriculum. I’m glad to hear about the “Beyond Bullying Project” as an outlet for students to have open conversations about their sexual identities and the struggles that come along with them. I also think including LGBTQ more heavily within the sex education department is essential so people can have clearer understandings of other sexualities.
Hey Sydney, I think this topic is really great to research on! Especially with the recent debate of celebrating Pride in Regina Public Schools. I really think you could articulate a good debate with this topic and discover some helpful ideas to integrate LGBTQ+ health education into the curriculum and the classroom!