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from Gay Activism in the Schools
Social Worker Advises Comprehensive
'Sexual Orientation' Studies For Students
August 3, 2004 - Social worker Elizabeth Schroeder, writing in American
Sexuality Magazine, urges public school teachers to devote larger portions of
their class time to discussing homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism.
Ms. Schroeder is a signer of the Alternatives to Marriage Project "Affirmation
of Family Diversity," published in 2000. The Alternatives to Marriage Project
promotes cohabitation; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender relationships;
and polyamory (multiple partners).
Schroeder says that sexual orientation lessons are not being taught effectively
in public schools because teachers lack reliable information, fear conflicts
with students over religious objections, or are simply uncomfortable discussing
such topics.
According to Schroeder, "The primary reason for teaching about sexual
orientation is, quite simply, that it is part of who we are. It is not
supplemental, but rather vital information that people should have in order to
understand their heterosexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality. ... Omitting
sexual orientation from a sexuality education course is like omitting grammar
from an English class."
Schroeder urges teachers to access resources provided by the Gay, Lesbian, and
Straight Education Network, Outproud, as well as Transproud, an organization for
teens who are questioning their gender identity.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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