Speaking the Unspeakable in Forbidden Places: addressing lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender equality in the primary school.

“The primary is school often thought of as a place of safety and innocence; a place where childhood is both nurtured and sheltered, and attempts to address what are seen as ‘adult’ issues are sometimes intrusions into or threats to this safety zone”(1).

            School should be a safe and comfortable place for children. School is meant for educating and keeping the children safe. I think that it is important to have a safety zone for children but I think that children should be protected up to a certain point. It is important to teach children about some of the things they will see out in the real world because they aren't going to be in a safety zone forever. It is better to teach children about things they will see now that they are young because it can help them have a better understanding and a more positive perspective on things.  We can’t prevent children from seeing things out on the street and have them be confused.

“I talked quite openly with my class about the princes’ sexuality. We began the lesson with a letter from prince asking the class for help (because he has to meet all these princesses but doesn't want to marry any of them) and then we read the book”(3).

            Although some children may feel confused at first when talking about sexuality it is important for them to know that there are gays, lesbians and bisexuals. In order to teach children about this teachers should use strategies like the one that this teacher did read a story and help them understand what is going on.  I think that telling the children the story of the prince who was supposed to meet princess is a good way to teach children about gay people because they will understand that the prince is not happy finding a princess because that is not what he likes. The prince wants to be with a prince and that’s okay because that makes him happy.   

“kate asked her class how her Muslim colleague might have felt if she were called ‘paki’ and followed this by asking the class how she might feel if she were called ‘gay’”(8).

            Children should be taught that name calling is a horrible thing and that makes people feel sad. Here she asked her class what they think her friend might feel like if she was to be called paki she did this to show the children that it doesn't matter what someone may call the other person it is wrong. Whether the person may be Muslim or gay people shouldn't be called any names because people shouldn't have to make others feel less about themselves  because they are what they are. 

I found this link that connects with this article it is a site where their is a list of books for children that include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families. I like this because i found many books that i have never even heard of and I am now interested in reading. 

http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201001/LesserHandout310_2.pdf

I really like this picture because you can see how happy this little boy is with both his fathers  you can tell that he loves them very much.