What did you know about the issues discussed prior to the assembly? What did you learn at the assembly(assemblies)Make sure you focus on the topic of our block but feel free to add to it with anything learned at other assemblies. What surprised you? Other thoughts? What can you do to help? What can Mrs S do to help?
Having been to at least one Day of Dialogue assembly every year for the past three years, I generally already know a lot about the issues that are discussed, but in the case of the assembly we went to see, I went in a bit blind. I knew transgender and gay people face a lot of discrimination around the world, but it was extremely powerful to be able to hear about specific cases. The most surprising speaker was the man from Uganda, because I had never heard someone describe such horrifying experiences. In most cases, coming out stories end with acceptance, or an ongoing tension between someone and their family, not potential arrest. It really hit me that the speaker has not seen his daughter for years, simply because he is persecuted for his sexuality. I am very happy that the GSA club decided to include international perspectives, because I think we can often become close-minded within the Brookline/US bubble, not only in terms of LGBTQ issues, but issues of gender and race as well. Because this is such a touchy and personal issue, I don’t think teachers need to get particularly involved apart from making students feel accepted no matter what their sexuality or gender expression (for example: using proper pronouns).
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