* Some of the ways I noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children including books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers and schools.
As a preschool teacher, I have noticed homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children because of their parents. I had a parent that did not like his boy playing with dolls in the housekeeping area. If the father would walk-in and sees that his boy is playing with a baby doll in housekeeping, he would tell him that boys don't play with dolls. They play with trucks! The father even asked me to keep him from playing with the dolls in housekeeping. I told him that children learn from play and if I keep him from playing with dolls, I am keeping him from learning. Not only that I will be keeping him from playing with something that he wants to play with in the classroom. I continued to say, when boys play with dolls, that is not making him to be a homosexual. The same goes for movies, books, and etc. It depends on what the parents are feeding in their children's minds.
* My response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families.
Early childhood centers have books that depicts death, multicultural, feels, etc. I don't see why it would be wrong to including books depicting gay or lesbian. But it should be age-appropriate and send a message to the children just like the other books. Also, if the are learning it from early childhood centers at least it will be in a positive way.
* How I would respond to a parent/family member who informed me they did not want anyone who is perceived homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, or interacting with their child?
I believe this is an excellent question to ask an educator. I would tell the parents that it don't matter what sexual orientation a teacher have, as long as he or she is giving your child the best education possible, so that he or she can be successful in the future is what matters. We are here for the education of your child.
* If I have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag", "gay" "homo", "sissy", "tom boy", or "lesbo" as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child?
I have heard all of these terms as an child and adult. When my sisters use to get mad at me, they would call me a "fag." I use to hate so much that I would want to fight. When I got older and was called a "fag", I would just ignore it and kept on moving. I realized when I got older that it is just a word that people would say to get me mad. When I was a child, I have heard people calling girls "tom boys" if the were better at doing things that boys usually were known for doing. Like sports!
