Alex Chamberland

Expository Writing 110

Mrs. Johnson

March 7, 2017

The Insignificance of an LGBT Curriculum

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT). Everyone knows its an uncomfortable

subject, which is why it shouldnt be glorified nor judged, especially not at school. In fact, in

most cases it shouldnt be discussed at all. School is a public institution for educating children.

Students go to school to learn and even though they often dislike or deny it, they are there to

further their education. The goal is to graduate and maybe go to college to then start careers. This

generation is going to become the doctors, lawyers, teachers, or business owners of the future.

These careers do encounter most social issues, but that not enough to make LGBT an academic

subject. Its simple, it is not an educational matter, but rather a personal choice. An LGBT

inclusive curriculum included in grade school or highschool is unnecessary, contradicts religious

beliefs, and could lead to more bullying.

There are already have enough issues in school today including peer pressure, social

drama, and most of all bullying. Why take a chance in causing even more of them? It is simply a

fact. An LGBT curriculum has never been included in education until now. It has never been an

exposed topic and controversial social issue. In fact it was just 2015 when the supreme court

granted the right to same sex marriage in all 50 states. In 2016 California became the first state to

include an LGBT curriculum. Teaching from the start of second grade, history and health classes
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that it's okay to be gay, including a same sex sex education, and teaching students specifically

about LGBT in the past. It is simply a fact that there is no educational need for be incorporated.

It is a social and political issue that should stay out of the classroom. Students are not taught

specifically about abortion, gun control, or marijuana legalization which are all equivalent to the

LGBT society. Change is not always for the best, and this subject is a perfect example of that. It

brings up ethical and personal issues along with the straightforward logical ones.

Some topics are not allowed to be discussed in schools because they are personal choices

which do not include necessary education value. LGBT should be one of them, just like religion

is a personal choice. It is considered inappropriate to teach religious beliefs in schools, therefore

religion is not a part of our curriculum. Why is it okay for the state to decide that and LGBT

curriculum can be included but not a religious one? Why is it okay for schools to teach one thing,

yet ignore something else? They are supporting one personal choice, yet declaring another

unsuitable for the education of young minds. Students are allowed to be taught about religion,

but not taught religion. Meaning it's okay for students to learn about different religions but not

okay for them to be taught specific religious beliefs. It is argued that a LGBT inclusive

curriculum would be like that, in which students would be learning what it is just like they learn

about what religion is. That is untrue because students would also be educated on LGBT

specifically in other subjects where such a controversial social issue, like religion, does not need

to be discussed. This is something that should be discussed in the privacy of a childs own homes.

Schools should not be teaching something against parental beliefs. Which is the exact reason

religion is irrelevant in our education and the exact reason why an LGBT curriculum should stay

irrelevant in our education.

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Something that is not irrelevant in education is bullying. School has evolved, but it's

always essentially the same. From the start of kindergarten students are taught fundamental rules

to be honest, respectful, responsible, and compassionate. Unfortunately also from the start of

kindergarten, bullying becomes evident. It has always been socially argued that LGBT students

in school are subjected to more bullying. This argument has lead to the belief that if this subject

is included in the curriculum students will further understand which supposedly will then lead to

less bullying. Its believed that students would acknowledge the LGBT community instead of

mocking them. However a new curriculum does have a chance of simply doing the opposite, and

leading to more problems. Students learning about it and especially learning a history could

simply understand more, judge more, and bully more. There has been no research done of the

possible effects of this, so the probability of this new curriculum succeeding or failing is

unknown. This means there is no sense in taking a chance that will most likely could cause even

more controversy.

Students in high school are there to learn and prepare for what theyll learn in college or

prepare them for what field their going into for a career. This means the typical versions of

english, math, science, history, and elective classes. This does not include an LGBT curriculum

and does not need to include one. This curriculum has never been included in education before. It

is considered wrong to teach the practice of religion in schools or discuss other recent social

dilemmas which is the reason it should be considered wrong to teach this subject. Also there is a

chance of causing more drama and bullying in grade and high schools. The indications that

suggest this new curriculum is trivial outway the possible rewarding outcomes which is why

schools do not need to include this in their future curriculum changes. LGBT is a personal
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choice that should be discussed at home and not within the walls of a public education

institution. An LGBT inclusive curriculum included in grade school or highschool is

unnecessary, contradicts religious beliefs, and could lead to more bullying.

Works Cited

Should Students Learn about Homosexuality in School? Debate.org. 3 Mar. 2017.

DeWitt, Peter. 3 Reasons Why Many Schools Won't Offer LGBT Curriculum. Education Week

- Finding Common Ground, 13 July 2015, 3 Mar. 2017.

Dr. Susan Berry California: 1st State To Teach LGBT Curriculum -- to 2nd Graders. Breitbart,

19 July 2016, 3 Mar. 2017.

State-by-State History of Banning and Legalizing Gay Marriage, 1994-2015 - Gay Marriage -

ProCon.org. Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?, 9 Mar. 2017.