Bravo Takei, Tsk Tsk Tennessee

     My fellow blogger wrote the following, She Who Seeks ~ It's OK to be Takei! and brought a very important issue in Tennessee to my attention.  Apparently there is a bill that has been proposed to introduce a law that will not allow teachers to discuss any LGBT issues/families/ etc. in the classroom.  Of course, by hearing this I decided to look into it further.  I found the following article in the Memphis Flyer ~ Don't Say "Gay".  The article indicates that the introduction of this bill is in direct response to some school boards suggesting that they are planning on bringing in new curriculumn to include homesexuality, transgender, bisexuality, etc. into their sex education classes in middle school. 

Now to breath before I rant...

      I'm sure you can guess what I'm thinking, these kids are going to be denied the truth of society and life in PUBLIC school, a place where you're supposed to be learning the facts about the world we live.  School is not a place to have biased ideals taught in a science/biology lesson about health and sexuality.  Ideals have no business in science and sexuality is a health science, not an idealogical issue.  Manners, helping your neighbour, being a good citizen, those are idealogical or atleast simply social graces or norms that are taught and they are things that can be left up to tweeking and "normal" ethical language.  LGBT topics are not actually an ethics topic, they are a fact based, health science and are not subject to whether or not they fit in with what some may or may not deem as something to discuss in polite society.

      My next thought is more of a question.  Exactly how far will this bill, if it becomes law go?  Will a child with same-sex parents be allowed to incorporate their life into a project, like the heterosexual families?  If so, then how exactly will the teacher be legally allowed to grade that child or comment?  What about simple things like the teacher saying things such as, "Billy, are your moms coming to the play tomorrow night?" or "Cindy, your dads are waiting for you in the office." in a voice loud enough for other students to here?  Is that teacher now going to be subject to legal action, because LGBT was mentioned or implied or flat out discussed with a student?  What if a child asks, what is that teacher supposed to enforce?  Is he/she actually supposed to enforce the notion that only man/woman union is "normal"?  If they do that, then how do they get around laws regarding discrimination?  Basically the teacher is darned if they do and darned if they don't.

     I'm sure, as you can all tell, my solution to such a bill is to vote in down so it doesn't become a law; however, it has already passed their Senate process. (not law yet)  Yes, it's all the way over in Tennessee, but this law still affects me, because it affects children who might be in a family like mine.  It affects me, because it affects whether or not children are being taught the truth and teaching ignorance is not an option.  Yes, all topics should still be age appropriate.  No one is suggesting otherwise.  I speak from experience that you can make LGBT families an age appropriate discussion even at 3 or 4 years of age.  Not discussing it at all is the problem.  I strongly hope that this doesn't come to pass for the children of Tennessee and that if it does, I hope that it isn't catching and leaves just as quickly as it came.

More Info or to Take Action:
NBC news article ~ "Don't Say Gay" bill passes Tenn. Senate

It's OK to be Takei!
Geroge Takei official website
American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee