Photo From: forthebibletellsmeso.org
After going to the first LGBT presentation I was inspired to push my knowledge and furthering my thinking about how diverse issues would challenge me as a teacher. So, I thought going to the second presentation would be beneficial but I was unaware how much more I would learn. I sat with a group of students who were all in the same TE 250 class along with two professors. We watched three segments of the video "For the BIBLE tells me so" and after each segment discussed. I was taken back by the students at my table, their faith was all very strong which added something to our discussion. We talked about how these families in the video dealt with the diversity within their families, we talked about our families, and how we were similar and different. I was first surprised that my family was quite liberal compared to the families that the students at my table had come from. My parents are very open and seem to have respect for issues of GLBT. My dad's old buisness partner was openly gay and although my dad would talk about how he was learning about this lifestyle in which he wasn't accostomed to, it never seemed that he thought it was wrong. Anyhow the families in the video all had different situations as well as different perspectives. What I was most interested in was what the Bible says. I was shocked to find out that individuals read and believe that gay people should be put to death. Although it does read in the Bible that being gay is an abomination, the Bible also says that wearing wool and linen together is an abomination, eating pork, as well as shrimp. We discussed how things are taken literally by certain people, I wonder whether those individuals have ever ate pork or shrimp? We discussed how during this time, these thoughts that being gay was wrong was part of the idea that the nation needed to grow, procreation. I also thought it was interesting, one of the girls at my table said, we have to remember that this is a work of God, taken by man and then translated. The instance of the video I found most disturbing was when they showed the hurtful things individuals who consider themselves GLBT have faced and continue to face. One picture was of a phrase written on the sidewalk, it read "Slaughter the Gays". It made me sick. I could not imagine walking down the sidewalk and reading something like this, especially if it was directed towards me. I was taken back by the extreme hatred these people making these comments had. I feel sad both for the individuals who believe that God is accepting of this hatred as well as for the individuals who have to deal with this hatred daily. One individual in the video talked about how t is human nature to look for an "outsider". One father on the video spoke of unconditional love, loving his children no matter what. I think this is so important not only for parents but for educators, we must love every student unconditionally. I thought this seminar was wonderful and I think more individuals need to be made aware of the issues going on around us.

When first hearing about this movie in class I was not immediately aware of all the issues that this film brings. When hearing that there was a film titled, "Blindness" I have to be completely honest in saying that I was very interested. I often think of how my life would change if I were deaf or blind and therefore thought that this would be some sort of "inside" look at the life of someone or individuals who are blind. When seeing the trailer I was caught off guard by the terms used and how the individuals who were becoming blind were being treated. After seeing the trailer a classmate and I were confused as to whether or not the movie was supposed to be "scary". And how this trailer portrayed everyone fearing the chance of "catching" this blindness. I have not seen the movie. Part of me thinks that it would be interesting but another part of me feels like this would create more stereotypes for me and therefore not be productive. I wish this were a film that accurately portrayed being blind rather than it being seen as an epidemic. After reading articles about this movie, I am clear that this film has hurt many individuals. But, in trying to see the other side I thought of other movies that may hurt people as well. Being that I was a competitive cheerleader in high school, and I will mention that I do think that competitive cheerleading is a sport, I was offended by the movie "Bring It On" because it does not accurately portray my experiences but also I understand that I am only one individual and this movie is supposed to be humorous and who knows, maybe some individuals who participated in the sport had these types of experiences. When thinking about Blindness I do wonder and think about how there is a difference for being who are born without the ability to see and people who lose their eyesight in other circumstances. I would imagine that when you lose your eyesight suddenly you do go through a period where you must "re-learn" things. I am not in any way saying that the images that this film portrays are what all individuals who lose their eyesight as adults act as the actors or actresses in the movie act but also I think we do have to remember that this is supposed to be a "drama", "mystery", "thriller" and is not labeled as a documentary. Overall though I do think that it is inaccurate to portray blindness as an epidemic. I am very surprised that this movie is in theaters and feel genuinely sorry for the individuals in which it negatively effects.

LGBTQ- Safe Schools Seminar

When thinking about going to this seminar I was confused about the type of situation I would find myself in. After walking into the room in which the seminar was to be held tonight, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was very comfortable. There were many chairs all facing one direction and one main table at the front. The seminar began by allowing everyone to eat pizza! But it really started when we were asked to look at a sheet of "terms". On this sheet were many terms, some I was familiar with and some that were not so familiar but all the definitions were overwhelmingly helpful. I found myself saying, "I never knew that meant that" or "I didn't know this was offensive". One thing that struck me was the discussion on whether or not homosexual was offensive. Basically, it depends on the person, which makes sense but I never thought that some individuals may perfer to be called gay and others homosexual and what contents they feel these words are appropriate. For example, we raised our hands to show how many of the schools that we had been in that we heard terms like "gay" used as a put-down. I raised my hand. In my high school "gay" was thrown around having a negative tone.
Another interesting thing I found by listening in on this seminar was that one and every ten individuals considers themselves LBGTQ.
The next thing I found extremely sad was when one speaker talked about how being gay or even thought of as possibly being gay can be terms to fire someone on. In education, especially in the area, jobs are limited, and to have this fear that you could lose or possible not even be offered a job because of your sexual orientation is troublesome.
I asked, after a discussion in class, how to describe to a student that some students in their class may have two moms or two dads. Considering that there are days in many schools set aside called "Donuts with Dad" or "Muffins with Mom" and thinking that some students may feel confused if they do have two parents of the same gender. One panel member stated it excellently, "People are lucky when they find someone to love."
I thought this was perfect. She went on to say how we need to not make a big deal of these things otherwise that is what they will become. I think this is so true. When students notice that the teacher hesitates or maybe does not know how to answer a question he or she may wonder why? Is this subject not appropriate? Is it wrong? By being able to give these simple answers, first graders in mind, students aren't being left to wonder. As teachers it is our job to teach, and family units and how each individual's family unit is different is an important thing to consider as a teacher.
This seminar was very informative and worthwhile. I really enjoyed it and was happy that I attended.

Lambda Literacy Foundation Award:

Selection Criteria:
- The book must be about an LGBT category
-There are different categories (22) that the book nominations fall under :
14- Lesbian and Gay Categories
6- LGBT Categories
2- Additional Categories: Bisexual and Transgender

- The author does not have to be LGBT themselves, as long as their piece of literature includes LGBT in some aspect. This could be one character or many.
- Authors and Publishers are the only individuals that are able to nominate a book.

In order to be eligible to win the award books must meet the following criteria:
The book must be published and distributed in the U.S. during 2008.
Self- published books are eligible
Book must be published in English


The image included is who sponsers the award.

Selection Committee:
The writers, booksellers, book reviewers, journalists, editors, publishers, members of the Board of Trustees, teachers, librarians, and/or members of the literacy communities.

"Seventy-two judges, representing a broad cross-section of the gay and lesbian literary community, will select a single book in each category to win the prestigious Lambda Literary Award, considered to be the highest accolade for a book from the LGBT community."
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/archives/finalists_LLF_awards.html