LGBTQ +

It’s Elementary | Laura Lampela

It’s Elementary (1996)

Although there have been some changes in society since 1996 when the film was made, there is still a pervading attitude among some parts of the population in this country that being gay is "bad." I grew up in the time the video was made (I graduated high school in 1997), and our school system did not openly discuss these issues.  Most of my experience was that it was something to be hidden or ashamed of.  My parents did not discriminate against gay people, but they did not openly encourage or accept it either.  We were not religious, but just rather a product of our culture. My first exposure to LGBT awareness and acceptance was probably through visual culture and media, where TV shows would discuss how it was something you were born with rather than some sort of "lifestyle choice."  When I was in college around 1999, I took a psychology course and that was my first exposure to the theory or thinking (and in my opinion, truth) that homosexuality is actually on a spectrum, and gender is separate from sexuality as well.  That really opened my eyes to my way of thinking and the more awareness and education I had on the subject, the more I realized that it was not something to hide or be ashamed of.

Now as an adult, I have realized that fear rules over a lot of what is wrong with society.  Approaching everyone with love, even those you disagree with or don't get along with, has much more positive outcomes. As a mother, I have also realized that teaching your children about what they are seeing in the world or are curious about is a much better approach than hiding it from them until they "are the right age."  If they are old enough to ask questions about it, then they are old enough to understand and be taught about what it is, and how its important to accept everyone as an individual and for who they are.

As an educator, I do plan on being accepting of all of my students and having a safe space for them.  I think that as the political climate shifts, more open mindedness will prevail, but right now there is a bit of an ebb with the curriculum in schools and what should be taught.  Hopefully, as time marches on the more progressive and open minded thinking will prevail. 

From Our Voices (2005) is a collection of essays written by art education researchers that provide narrative for LGBTQ+ community and resources in how to navigate acceptance in today’s society and classroom.

“All of us deserve to have a learning environment that does not ignore the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals”

- Laurel Lampela

Below is a summary and analysis of one of the essays within the book From Our Voices by Olivia Gude, called “There’s Something Queer about This Class.”

References

Chasnoff, D. & Cohen, H.S. (1996). It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School. United States

Check, E., & Lampela, L. (2003). From our voices: Art educators and artists speak out about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered issues. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub.