Did you learn about gay rights in elementary school? high school?

Question

The term "Stonewall Riots" meant nothing to me until today. I realized that I have received an education that has completely excluded a group of people from history.

I remember learning about civil rights and women's rights. I am just curious to see if it was just the small suburb I grew up in that led to this lack of education, or if gay rights has been left out of public school curriculum.

I noticed that last year a bill was being talked about in Sacramento dealing with the "portrayal" of sexual orientation, but it simply said that any negative portrayals would be removed from public school texts, but there didn't seem to be anything about gay rights being a mandatory part of the curriculum.

Answer 1

I went to elementary schools in the 1960's. We used to play house and there was this boy who always wanted to be the mom. We girls liked him as a friend, but did not like coughing up OUR role to a guy. We didn't feel "oppressed" for wanting to be the mom. We didn't feel that "Marky" was strange. We were kids. We girls wanted to be the Mom. Simple.

Sexual orientation belongs behind closed doors, NOT in elementary school. As an elementary school teacher, I can honestly say that most little kids REALLY do not understand about sex and sexual orientation. Let kids be kids... childhood is short enough.

In high school in the 70's, many of my friends fell to drugs, running away, jail, or prison. There were probably gays in the high school mix, somewhere, but they just weren't in the limelight.

Sexual orientation is not something that needs rights. There are people who like to do it with animals. There are people who prefer their own selves as sexual partners. Great. Get a room. Keep it to yourself. Same with gays. Same with straights.

Answer 2

You probably won't see it as part of any cirriculum. This is such a devisive issue that it will be eons before society becomes enlightened enough to realize that gay people aren't as evil as depicted.
I really don't know that this needs to be a part of your education anyway. Possibly a few days discussion, then move on.
Civil rights affects everyone. Womens rights affect everyone. Gay rights won't. Besides, the ERA amendment still hasn't been ratified. It is still three states short from becoming a part of the constitution.
Gay rights, or wrongs can be explained in a few days. And its fairly simple. Being gay is not a choice. Its just the way you are. Is it a sin? Possibly. But it isn't a choice. Gay people have been bashed for years and it won't stop soon.
When I was in high school (about 200 years ago) civil rights and womens rights weren't even mentioned. With the exception of the 1920s when women got the right to vote.

Answer 3

I guess I grew up (and still live) in a cave, because I have no idea what the term "Stonewall Rights" means. Regardless, to answer the question, I remember about learning about women's and civil rights in textbooks. I learned about gay issues from the media, and from other students - I graduated in 79' with a lesbian who was quite open about her choice. However, I do wish that prayer had been implemented then and now in school. Fortunately, I had a few years of homebound education from a teacher that taught me more morals than a private Christian school, and I am very thankful for her impact on my life.

Answer 4

I'm 50 years old and we weren't even taught about women's rights, much less gay rights or different forms of sexual orientation. I wish I had learned about it then, I wish all of us would have been taught about all the different folks out in the world. Some of my friends might have grown up without becoming homophobic and stereotyping gay people with ignorant and untrue rhetoric that they hear from others as equally uninformed and prejudiced.

Answer 5

Do you live in America? There are no "gay rights."

So, why would we mention gay lifestyle in schools? Sure, maybe all negative portrayals to homosexuality are to be removed from texts, but that could just be the general softening of America, where an ill word ought not be spoken about anyone.

Look, I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying that right now, homosexuals are not equal from a legal standpoint. Its a fact. Ask my gay aunt why she can't get married.

Answer 6

No, I'm glad that wasn't part of my curriculum. My school actually taught me useful things like reading, writing, math, science, history, and music. Gay rights are not an academic subject and do not belong in schools. Same goes for any other kind of XYZ rights. Maybe our country's educational system wouldn't be churning out so many idiots if it actually went back to teaching useful subjects instead of "feel-good" subjects.

Answer 7

Absolutely "NOT". To be perfectly honest with you there is
One Constitution, 13 original Amendments, One bill of rights;
and we are still ONE NATION UNDER GOD and the next word "Indivisable" means Not divided but we stand United in our beliefs and our heritage. Schools have No business teaching anything else to the children and young Adults regarding human rights and the U.S.A. Blacks, Gays, Hispanics, or any other ethnicity has the exact same rights and Constitution and they have absolutely no basis in wanting or deserving to have everyone else bend their rights to fit this Agenda(of their own); they can accept what America is and what America offers in our Constitution and our Bill of Rights, or they can Move to France or some other country who doesn't care. This is Our America, Like it or Leave it. I hope this answers the question appropriately.

Answer 8

Probably because it's such a hot issue...I also don't think the Christians and conservatives would want that taught to their children. It's a shame but that's the way it is for now. Gay rights is an issue that's been around forever and unfortunately probably always will be.

Answer 9

they are trying to ban gay marriage, they're only giving federal money to states that solely teach abstinence, and they are locking up condoms in cvs. do you really think they would think of allowing gay rights teaching. the closest a text book ever came that i read was that certain people have gender roles and blah blah blah. i have friends who are gay who make sure the school knows they are there.

Answer 10

Gay rights? What for?
Do they have more "rights" than the rest of us?
SHOULD they have more rights than the rest of us?
Who has been denying them their constitutional rights?
Do schools need to teach about "special people" with "special rights" the rest of us don't have?
If they are "special" maybe they are "different" and should receive some other "special handling". I don't understand why gays NEED special rights that the rest of us cannot use.