Kelsey Gummersall

FHS 2450
U4 Essay 1

Question:
OPTION B: SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN SCHOOLS
Students in high schools across the United States are beginning to appreciate the benefits of
forming gay/lesbian/bi/transgender/straight alliances. These are groups that share information
and support for all students in dealing with sexuality and sexual identity including sexual
orientation. What is your opinion about these groups? Should high schools provide the facilities
and forum for groups of this nature? Why or why not? If high schools allow gay/lesbian clubs,
should gay/lesbian teachers be allowed to discuss their sexual orientation with their students?

Answer:
High school is a very important and vulnerable time in everyones life. Everyone at that age is
going through changes that they cannot control. Everyone at that age is also trying to fit in with
the crowd in one way or another. There is no better way to stand out that being gay, lesbian, bi,
or transgender. In high school everyone is trying to figure out who they are. With the added
pressure of being gay, lesbian, bi or transgender and at times keeping that a secret from others in
order to fit in could lead many teens to break under the pressure. Compared to heterosexual
youth, sexual minority youth report drinking more alcohol during the week to eliminate personal
worries (coping) and to avoid being excluded by peers (conformity) (Knox & Milstein, 2017, p.
245). Gay, lesbian, transgender, or bi youths also have high suicide and depression rates. This is
all very important information because it needs to be an influence in how high schools handle
these very vulnerable groups of young people. I believe it is very important for high schools to
have alliances that support gay, lesbian, transgender and bi youth. In order for any human to feel
valued or appreciated they need to be able to feel comfortable with themselves. This is especially
important in a state like Utah when even heterosexuality is muffled and swept under the rug.
Shame is not an acceptable way to avoid having uncomfortable or awkward conversations. My
point is that if straight males and females are answered with shame in regards to sexual feelings,
these answers are much more negatively impactful when being used towards a young person that
may already be feeling a sense of shame about their attractions to the same sex. I highly support
these groups because I was raised in a state that taught me little to none about sexuality and made
me feel shame towards any other sexual option than abstinence. If I felt shame, I can only
imagine the pain that is felt in those who might feel even more confused with who they are. In
order to normalize gay, lesbian, transgender or bi youths they need to be treated normal. They
need to be able to find that support from others in order to feel normal. High schools should most
definitely provide access to facilities for these students on the same level that the high school
should provide facilities for an after school drama club. These are all students looking for
support in some way and it is essential that schools have a safe place where they can find it.
There are many clubs for Polynesians, African Americans, etc. to come together, support each
other and celebrate their culture and history. The same opportunity needs to be provided for
LGBTQ students. In allowing these clubs it will allow those who might feel shame to find
support, guidance and even confidence. I absolutely believe it should be allowed for all teachers
to discuss their sexuality if they so feel it is a necessary part of a conversation. This is important
because all sexuality should be treated as a norm. There is no reason for a teacher to be forced to
hide their sexuality if they do not want to. Being open with one another is going to be the only
way to bring the shame out of the shadows and allow people to be comfortable with themselves.

References:
Knox, D., & Milstein, S. (2017). Human Sexuality: Making Informed
Decisions (5th ed.) [with Salt Lake Community College supplement].
Redding, CA: BVT Publishing.