Free School: "Living Homosexual"

I'm starting a Free School class for homosexuals. I'm really looking for a few good "coworkers" since I'm going to have a lot on my plate. If anyone would like to help out or join in that would be splendid. Instead of typing it twice, here is the description of our new class (hopefully if we get enough members!)

Description: The class will be more of a guidance than a class. We will discuss our issues and work though problems. I plan on having a section regarding coming out to your family and friends, benefits of being homosexual (in both the government and society), trends of the homosexual community, how heterosexual people can learn to accept the homosexual lifestyle, sexual tips, possibly a "improve your gaydar" section, how to approach a potential mate, accepting yourself as a homosexual, transsexual and transvestite and many other topics. I personally am a bisexual female who has grown up around homosexuals. I was never afraid of expressing who I am and I came out to my mother when I was 14. (Still haven't come out to my father, not that he would care... which is probably why I haven't bothered to tell him.) I've been active on a local basis with support for homosexuals. I really would like to open this class so that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transvestites/transsexuals can discuss openly their lifestyle and teach young homosexuals ways of coping with the stresses of being gay or lesbian. The difference in this class and other classes is that it isn't taught by one instructor. I would like to recruit a number of assistant teachers who can take on certain topics. This is a very important subject to myself and as shaky of a "class" it would be, I would like to try my best and make it work.

 

I'm all for public acceptance but I despise the whole concept of a 'gay lifestyle' becuase it suggests that you do certain things and act a certain way as if they were requirements to be gay, and in turn this leads to stereotypes and pre-expectations of what gay people should be. I don't think this attitude should be encouraged because it singles gay people out in certain ways. When do you ever hear straight people calling the way they live as a 'straight lifestyle'.
Just becuase your gay, bi or whatever doesn't mean you have to act a certain way or do certain things, which is what the term 'gay lifestyle' implies.
Essentially the requirement that should be needed for one to have a 'gay lifestyle' is an attraction to the same sex, but this is just too vague a description and too broad a spectrum to cover because variety of lifestyles that different gay people have are just too many each gay person I've met has been different and have come from all walks of life. So I don't have a problem with what your trying to do, just the terms that gay people seem to have accepted without realizing what they imply.

 

A lot of people are going to avoid the class because it suggests that the "gay lifestyle," exists, and do NOT do the gaydar thing. That's just as stereotypical as the concept of a gay lifestyle.

 

Dixie I'd like to hear more of your thoughts about this course. I could see It being of value to some folks. Maybe it could be a further way for folks to define what's important to them, express concerns or complaints about how other people react when they hear the word gay or lifestyle. I dunno, maybe more input from others would help.

 

I'd like to hear more about this too. There was a small community that I wandered into myself when I was just a young, wayward teenager and had it not been for them, I'd probably still be a scared, confused kid that's afraid of his own self. I do agree, however, on seriously considering your "homosexual lifestyle" discussion. Perhaps, instead, you should find out how each person feels about that topic or what the general consent is for it in your class. That may give you some clues as to how to move on.

Regardless, though, I'd be giving you an encouraging hoot if I was around you, because I think it's remarkably noble of you to go out of your way and try to help others who may be confused about their feelings. So kudos to you.

 

where would you teach this class?

 

I think this is a great idea. I mean, isn't there a certain lifestyle to an extent? Like, how to deal with homophobic people and situations like that? Give insight to younger people and tell them what it feels like to live gay growing up and being an adult. I say go for it.

 

I'm glad that there is some discussion on the class. I'm very interested in getting your input. One thing I want to stress about this class is that it will also be taught by the students. If there are things you don't agree with please stand up and say so.
I really want to make this class a place for young homosexuals to come and be able to learn how to accept themselves. It can be very scary as we all know and the focus of the class is teaching acceptance of oneself and others. I also plan on having some fun activities. (Which I would be willing to accept any input!)
If you are interested in joining go to this link and sign up: http://www.hipforums.com/modules.php?name=FreeSchool&op=classinfo&classid=64

For any questions just private message me and we can talk freely and openly.

 

I'm not sure how I feel about this class. I think it's important for safe spaces to exist for all identities, but I'm not sure there's a need for a class that "teaches" how to live homosexually(?).

Eh, but that's just me.

Pax y Amor.

 

It seems the more discussion on being gay,the better.Especially for young folks who may be under terrific stress, due to being in a minority that doesn't get much respect and often gets hate from their peers.I can't imagine the difficulty of trying to figure out how to come out or not,particularly among the young.

 

Nope.You?