Yesterday was a killer of a day. First day back from spring break and =
many things were going on.... much to be resolved.
As I read yesterday's thread on "Please Vote" I found myself yelling at my =
computer, so I knew that it was not the time for me to respond to anything =
on the listserv. Words like "lifestyle" and "choices" jumped out at me =
which really struck me as homophobic language. As much as I want people =
to change their mind about the gay and lesbian community, it would never =
be my goal to use this listserv as a forum for that purpose. But just as =
quickly as some of the ideas arose that deeply concerned me.... and yes, =
yesterday angered me, the other side of the issues arrived on my screen =
explaining that it's not a lifestyle, not a choice, but rather an =
orientation determined long before birth. Further more, children whose =
parents are gay/lesbian did not make choices either but deserve to see =
their lives represented in positive ways just as much as children who come =
from other family structures deserve. These children's lives are as =
precious as any other children's, and they deserve to have their lives =
celebrated in the same way as other children. This IS the celebration of =
diversity! As librarians, or any other adults who work with children, I =
believe it is our goal to accept children as they come to us and provide =
vehicles to them that will take them as far as they can go. Not every =
vehicle is right for every child or for every family, but our "lot" has to =
be full of all different vehicles for all the journeys to be made by the =
children. Each journey brings about growth for the next journey.
I respect all opinions. I applaud all for voicing theirs in this thread. =
But may I add a special thanks to all those who made sure that all the =
terminology and jargon used in the thread was correct and well-defined. =
Thank you Julie and Barbara for breaking the ice on that discussion. How =
fortunate we are to be a part of this great group of people who discuss....=
.. and as my great grandmother used to say....."cuss and discuss" issues =
and still respect one another as professionals.
Readingly yours,
Chris =20
Christine L. Evans, librarian
Library/Media Center
Barrington Middle School - Station
cevans@cusd220.lake.k12.il.us
847-381-0464
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