August

Alyssa Giammarco
Dr. McKamey
FNED:346
9 October 2018

Safe Spaces: Making Schools and Communities Welcoming to LGBT Youth: By Annemarie Vaccaro, Gerri August and Megan Kennedy

"Classrooms lay the foundations for an inclusive and safe society; a just community where common interests and individual differences coexist. To the extent that teachers, school administrators, and college professors create an atmosphere in which difference is not only tolerated but expected, explored, and embraced, students will be more likely to develop perspectives that result in respectful behaviors. Without the deliberate creation of an inclusive atmosphere however, what happens inside classroom walls reproduces the prejudices that exist outside these walls; straightness and gender conformity are assumed; LGBT identity is deviant."

This quote is revealing that every classroom in a school should be accepting to all kinds of students. Acceptance should start in preschool classrooms. This is because usually preschool classrooms start their development in learning. Due to this these classrooms should be welcoming to everyone no matter if they are different. If a classroom is not welcoming then these children grow up with a mindset that its not normal to be different which is horrific. In my opinion one of the teachers responsibility is to create a learning environment that makes the children feel safe and welcoming. Teachers can incorporate this in their teaching style. This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about how classrooms play an important role and the impact it has on their students.

"In an episode entitled "Sugar time!" Busters adventures take him to Vermont, where he meets David, Emma, James, and their two moms, a blended family that teaches Buster the art of maple sugaring. The lesbian moms are featured incidentally, with Emma simply stating that she loves both of them very much. Sexual orientation is never explored; the words "gay" or "lesbians" are never used."

This quote is saying that the words gay or lesbian are not commonly used in conversation. Its sad that even a tv show does not show consideration towards people who are different. They are not being accepting to every single person. Instead of making this a common thing to hear or watch cartoon tv shows are eliminating what is important for children to understand at a young age. Due to this many children are growing up with questions and no answers. This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about being accepting to all students in the classroom, however if producers of tv shows can't be welcoming then this is most likely going to happen in the classroom.

“Justin a promising musician, was bullied because of his sexual orientation. He took his life after finishing his freshman year of high school. After Justin’s death, his mother campaigned to change district policies that required teachers to remain neutral regarding issues of sexual orientation. Tammy Aaberg named the problem: ‘most of the teachers and principals… mean well-they want to intervene. But the teachers still don’t know what they can and can’t do.’ LGBT students need advocacy and protection, not neutrality.”

This quote is relevant to the text because the author is talking about how classrooms and teachers play a significant role on students. This quote is saying that children are committing suicide because they are getting bullied so bad. These children rather harm their bodies than live through the pain they are in. In the case, Justin took his life because he was bullied due to his sexual orientation. This makes me very upset because school should be a safe place for many children but for Justin it was not. After his death Justin's mother campaigned to change district policies in regards of teachers standing up for children who are being bullied. Many children are being bullied because of their sexual orientation. Teachers should get involved instead of sitting back and thinking of what they can or cannot do. They should at least do something! For example teachers should provide a judgement free classroom so these individuals know they are not alone.

Talking Points to Share in Class:
In my opinion I think that all classrooms in every grade, and school should be welcoming to all students . A classroom should be a safe place for all children and not a place where they are scared or feel threatened. Today bullying is a major problem that needs to be fixed. Many children are being bullied and the result is them harming their bodies. We as teachers should be creating a positive atmosphere where children are happy to come to class and be with their peers.

Link to the Reading:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0SVJiRmNrcllrRlU/view