On "Coming out"

These next few weeks as we discuss the events of Boy Meets Boy in class, students will be looking closely at the experience of "coming out" as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans-gendered. This lesson is an exercise in empathy. Those of us who are straight do not have to "come out" to anyone about who we are so we will never know what it's like. However, coming out can be a very stressful thing for someone, and it doesn't happen just once but is something that has to be done every time you make a new friend, get a new job, go to a new school, etc. Therefore this lesson is to help students understand this process and how to react positively when and if someone comes out to them. Over 50% of gay teens have reported thoughts of suicide, and gay teens are four times more likely to commit suicide than their straight peers. It is important for kids to learn how they can help make their home, school, and community a safe place for all.

Below is the assignment packet students will be working on these next few weeks.