Summary

=Conclusion=

**- Jasmine Wang **
 * In conclusion, the GLBT existed throughout our history and exists across all cultures. It is not right to act on someone's homosexual feelings, and it is not right to discriminate against others simply because they have a different sexual preference. Living in a society of democracy and acceptance, we should accept everyone as normal and respect everyone. As a future educator, I believe it is my responsibility to promote a safe, supportive, healthy and inclusive learning environment. It is also my responsibility to shape a culture of respect in the school setting to eliminate bullying and marginalization. Therefore, I believe the studies of Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, and Bisexual should be incorporated into the curriculum. All students should be treated equally and all of them should have a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment. **
 * (For more details, please refer to page “History, Culture and Scientific Evidences of GLBT—Analytic Conclusion) **
 * The Separate School System **

**The separate school system does find it’s self in a bit of a quandary with the new legislation for gay straight alliances and the possibility of having LGBT topics introduced into the curriculum. The quandary exists because of the Catholic beliefs that acting out homosexual desires are sins. But having desires or considering oneself to be a certain way is not at sin. The Values of the Catholic school system in no way condone homophobic bullying. Persecution of any sort would be contrary to the values of love and compassion. Considering these values along with the holistic view of sex education, which is in the religious program, the separate school system should easily welcome discussion of LGBT topics and curriculum. Although the separate school board, I don’t think, should condone the homosexual lifestyle.** **- Robert Halpin ** **The Influence of Media**

**We all find and watch shows that we can identify with, or shows that give us something to look forward to or strive for in life. Shows are primarily meant for us to forget our own lives and escape into a new 'reality' for 30 minutes. Both adults and children make an instant connection with characters on television, YouTube etc - these connections can be both positive an negative. The positive aspect is that with such a wide variety of diversified shows gives youth the opportunity to be exposed to a diverse world, should they choose to. However, the negative side is that if the characters they see in movies, newspapers, comics, television and on the internet shows only portray stereotypes, the impressionable minds of youth may receive the wrong message about LGBT individuals. The short term entertainment effect lasts a few minutes but the negative side effects could last for years (DeWitt, 2011).**

**Media Stereotypes**

**It is inevitable that stereotypes come to mind when we think of different groups of people. However, in the past decade it is clear that the LGBT community has been fighting against these negative stereotypes. Without sounding like a prejudiced person, I agree that everyone deserves a good laugh now or then - just as long as its not at the expense of someone else's beliefs. Sadly though, in popular media, LGBT characters are still depicted in a certain kind of light - their mere presence is not enough on TV, they need to be portrayed with equality. As mentioned before, many more shows are offering gay characters (e.g Modern Family, Glee) and one would hope that their presence on TV would alleviate any uncomfortable feelings that heterosexual youth have for their LGBT peers - but if there are negative stereotypes of how LGBT individuals act and/or are treated, heterosexual youth will more than likely continue this attitude and harbor malice when the show is over. The key to understanding teenage/young minds is that they are VERY impressionable - and as they grow older, they become more rigid. Positive exposure to the LGBT community on popular and social media can really have have a large impact on the growth and development of adolescents (Slater et al.). When LGBT youth see themselves on television, they don't want to see tragic figures who are always surrounded by negative circumstances - they too want to be seen characters that everyone can be proud of. They deserve to see normal everyday characters that happen to be gay/lesbian (DeWitt, 2011).** **-Richa Prabhakar** **-Sheema Doshi**
 * In conclusion, I believe that, as soon-to-be teachers, we need to be mindful of our students and help guide them to being open minded individuals. The concrete ways that I've discovered, through research, has helped me to realize what we need to do. I am, however, wary of the public school system itself as there are so many jaded teachers that don't care about their students' lives. It would be so easy just to teach our content and not think too much of our students and what is happening in their lives because of the system we will be a part of. We need to educate ourselves more so that we can be there to help bring about a safer environment for our students and try not to become jaded by the system itself. Just knowing that one of our voices can bring about a safe environment for our students should be enough to create that environment. I hope that this generation's teachers will find that voice and not give up too easily on creating that safe and open-minded environment that our students so desperately need and deserve.**