Right now, the California senate is proposing a bill (that has to be signed by the Govenator) to insert information about sexual orientation, where appropriate, in school history books. In essence, they are advocating teaching about sexual orientation in schools, in an effort to highlight the contributions of gays and lesbians, as well as give gays and lesbians a place in history. This debate, obviously since it is in regards to anything gay, is getting a bunch of parents up in arms in California, and honestly, it just pisses me off. But, you ask, “duane, why does it matter??” Because, the Senate is obviously trying to make inclusion and acceptance part of the curriculum (surprise! who would have thought we need more of that?), and there are parents out there that are showing us that they prefer ignorance and deniability to compassion and understanding. I think the reason that it pisses me off most, is because mainly, if the same were to be said about the contributions of women, blacks, Hispanics, or any other minority group, it would just be unthinkable and a blatant act of bigotry; but when it comes to sexual orientation, it is a debate as to whether you should include anything about a person’s true self, or not. And that just isn’t right.
See, I look at myself and when I do, I see a gay man. That is who I am, through and through, balls to bone. If I were to be denied any of that identity, be it now, or after my death, I feel like I would not be represented as the real me. I would feel like you had left a major component of my life out if there was a description of me that didn’t include something about my sexual orientation; because it is who I am. I would feel that those who I love were unrecognized and that our relationships were deemed inferior or worthless. I would feel like the struggle and perseverance I endured personally and publicly would be denied. I feel like, in essence, this would be saying that what I went through (coming out, coming to terms with myself, being proud of myself, working hard just to be myself) meant nothing, and that this struggle and journey I endured to find myself, wasn’t part of what made me who I am. I feel it would be saying that being gay didn’t shape how I act, react, and do what I do; which is so utterly wrong, it is unthinkable. But, that is exactly what I see in the people that are against this inclusion. They are saying that a person’s sexual orientation doesn’t matter, when, with regards to history, it can actually make a huge difference.
I get mad at things like this, because there are kids out there that are going through what I went through right now. They are being picked on everyday and are being called fag at every turn. They are struggling with who they are, and attempting to make sense of why they “aren’t normal”. BUT, if they were to learn about a famous author, a singer, an actor, a historian, a scientist, a poet, a playwright, a leader, a politician, a person that made a significant contribution to history; they MAY be able to see that they ARE normal. They may be able to find something in this person to look up to, and they may realize that gay people have done things in history; that gay people do exist, and have a place in this world. Perhaps then, they may feel included. They may feel less ashamed or hurt at the feelings inside of them. They may be able to see themselves for who they are, and the struggle to find themselves may be a little easier. And even more importantly, there may be a sense of understanding and compassion that comes from children that learn that being gay is just a part of who someone is. There may be a chance to teach children inclusion instead of hatred. Just maybe, if there is a place for us in history, there can be a better place for us in the future. Being included isn’t asking too much, is it?
On a final note (sorry this is so long), I say all of these things with certainty, because I remember when I was little, and I learned the amazing and wonderful things that men like George Washington Carver did, and I realized that the prejudices in my family were so very, very wrong. If you can teach a child acceptance and inclusion, they can learn how to treat others fairly, and they can escape the prejudices taught in society. They can learn about history accurately, and that can shape theirs, and our, future.
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