From “No Way” to “Maybe" ( Reflection from last Sat )

Whoever read my blog might think, I might be irrational or wrong. However, I’d like to say what I could not say last Sat....

I think Thornbury used the term “window-dressing” as meaning the publishers are doing a kind of lip-service by saying they will include more controversial topics in coursebooks such as  feminism, landmines, etc. but they never include “homosexual” issues and even the use of “etc” is a way of hiding it. In addition, lip-service is paid to these issues because as long as they are just hinted at then it meets the requirements of curriculum makers.

I support Thornbury’s view that the issue of “homosexuality” is hardly ever mentioned in ESL or any other type of education. I think this must be changed and it must happen on many different levels for the issue of “homosexuality” to become mainstream. However, I am not saying we should force the issue. What I want to say is that at least  we could consider the followings ;

First, teachers, parents and the whole community need to have their awareness raised about homosexuality and how it is a natural part of some people’s lives and that it shouldn’t be viewed as negative or taboo. In my opinion, being taught at home is more important since this is where a child’s values will be first developed. As Thornbury mentions there are lots of gays and lesbians in ESL so why shouldn’t it be mentioned in ESL books.

Second, movies and media should change the way they portray gay men on screen from the “classic flaming gay” to a more mainstream type gay. There needs to be more positive image of gays and even having gays as the main character in movies. For ex, blacks were rarely cast as the main character but nowadays it is just a regular occurrence in movies.  I think categorizing the picture book “And Tango Makes Three” is in one of the banned books is too much.

People are always resistant to change in the beginning but eventually it becomes normal and accepted publicly. For ex, gay marriage has started to become law in many states in America even though it was strongly opposed in the beginning.

Another example is like mixed-blood kids in Korean society. At first, many years ago, people looked down on these kids and even parents didn’t want their kids to hang out with them but now it is happening less and less. Of course, this happens because people think it is abnormal but as time goes on, who knows it might become normal some day. The movie industry needs to focus on this issue not only for gays but for other minority groups that have “bit parts” in movies for ex, taxi drivers are always Indians, the convenience store owner is  always Korean, etc.

Third, even adoption by gay couples should not be considered just “Wrong” since even regular couple can become bad parents. We’d rather focus on thinking, wWhat are some alternative options for the abandoned babies? There is no guarantee the baby will be happy only when he/she is raised by a regular couple.

There is no right answer for anything. Gay parents can be as loving and kind (like “the wonderful gay parents in an American sitcom “Modern Family”) and raise a great kid equally as well as regular parents. 

Because I do believe ,

 “ From “No Way”  to “Maybe ”  is a huge change and gives  hope.”