Sexual Orientation Program
Standard
Participants will understand that there are a variety of sexual orientations and that homophobia has debilitating effects on all sectors of society.
Rationale
Ninety-seven percent of public high school students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers. Discovering one's sexual orientation can be a very frightening experience. An individual who recognizes themselves as gay or is perceived by others as being gay, faces tremendous prejudice from the world around them. Society as a whole stigmatizes homosexuals; therefore many children grow up believing that non-heterosexuals are "different" or "bad." Those beliefs and attitudes are carried to others as they interact at school or work. By introducing the concept of tolerance, the cycle of discrimination can begin to be transformed into an understanding of diversity.
Performance Indicators
As a result of sexual orientation education, participants will:
- Define heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality, recognizing slang words that are used to describe these terms
- Examine the attitudes, values, and beliefs that make sexual orientation a controversial issue
- Explore myths and facts about homosexuality
- Discuss definitions of homophobia and how they manifest themselves in society
- Understand the concepts of tolerance and empathy as an attempt to accept and understand sexual orientations that are different from our own
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