History Class New Subject: LGBT Movement

Living in a more progressive society teachers are expanding their history subject matter, including the history of the LGBT community.

With the ever-growing support and awareness for the LGBT movement, it is time that students are encouraged to have an open dialogue about it.

Illinois Senate just approved a requirement to teach the LGBT history, emphasizing the LGBT history’s role in society and contribution. This mandate will be required of elementary and high schools.

This requirement will reflect current laws on teaching history for racial groups such as Hispanics and African-Americans.

The only other state to pass a law to require the teaching of the LGBT history is California as of 2017. They were also the first state to use LGBT-inclusive history textbooks.

Teaching student early about the LGBT community can also help to spread awareness on the need to end conversion therapy. Many children are sent against the will of their parents to conversion centers, where they use extreme measure to change a person’s sexual orientation or preference.

Hawaii banned gay conversion therapy for minor against their consent. Many states have banned conversion therapy with California being the first in 2012.

The American Medical Association opposes the practice of sexual orientation change therapy, with studies showing it’s ineffective and causing psychological harm.

An open dialogue and initiative such as this can help student to feel more comfortable with their sexuality and gender choice, while spreading awareness for equality of the LGBT community.