Sexuality can be a loaded topic for many of us. We've reached a point in this day and age where more people are expressing their sexuality freely. Some of us have either been through hell to be able to express ourselves or it's been a relatively smooth ride. Should we start teaching the younger generation about the LGBTQ+ community?
The Illinois state senate has advanced a bill that would require public schools to teach a unit on LGBT history and important individuals. Only California currently requires schools to include LGBT-specific curriculum. Elementary and high schools would be required to teach a unit based on the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of the country and Illinois in particular.
People learn about Jane Addams, for example, but don’t know that she was a lesbian.
She had long relationships with [Hull House co-founder] Ellen Gates Starr and Mary Smith. Addams and Smith owned a home in Maine, traveled as a pair, and spent more than 30 years in a loving and committed relationship.
It shouldn't matter what her sexuality was because it has nothing to do with her accomplishment. As a society, we've made it our priority to care.
People need to see their history to understand that they're a part of our society.
Some states still expressly prohibit any positive discussion of LGBTQ+ issues under “no promo homo” laws. California is currently the only state to have requirements to learn about LGBTQ+ history because they embrace diversity.
This step could very well guide young kids into an understanding of what their future generation could be like. Some parents don't want their kids to be exposed to that just yet, or even at all.
The question is: Will other states follow along?
