SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Uncomfortable Truths: What If Santa Claus Was Gay?

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, 50th Anniversary of the Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Canada Special Issue, 2019

By Christine L. Cho

Society is not always as accepting as our laws would lead us to believe. Recent revocation of the 2014 Health and Physical Education curriculum in Ontario* is a testament to that fact. I currently teach at a Faculty of Education and often engage in serious, and sometimes spirited, conversations with my Bachelor of Education (BEd) students about LGBTQ+ issues in relation to school.

Sometimes, the concerns we tackle are about content implications, “What happens if a student [writes, says, draws, paints something] that is gay?” This is a curious trepidation for me, but it’s usually quickly followed up with the real concern, “What if a parent gets upset and thinks we are talking about homosexuality in class?”

Homosexuality has been decriminalized for 50 years and yet many teachers still worry about offending the values and beliefs of homophobic people. Fear percolates through teacher candidates. The teaching profession tends to be very conservative, seemingly projecting a “neutral” tone. The perception amongst future teachers is that you maintain the status quo: everyone is heterosexual until proven otherwise.

I press my BEd students to focus on normalizing difference in order to take away the fear. We work to think about relationships, to put aside the stigma of homosexuality and societal “norms” by focusing instead on affirming the complexity of relationships that exists among human beings.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Christine L. Cho, PhD, is a Professor at Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education. A practicing visual artist and a former elementary school teacher, Christine utilizes visual media and critical pedagogy to expand upon diverse ways of knowing. Her research contributes to current educational conversations on racial, ethnic, linguistic, and LGBTQ+ representation in schools.

Education News

Talking Educational Equity with Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore

A dedicated teacher and educational equity strategist, Marvis Kilgore is passionate about increasing Black male representation in teaching. In our conversation, he shares his vision for transforming education.

Student Sleep Health Week Highlights the Powerful Connection Between Sleep and Well-Being

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is hosting its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 15–19, bringing together families, educators, and community groups to highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students of all ages.

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

New Book Offers the First Comprehensive History of Sex Ed in America

Sex ed in schools is about much more than just health. It’s about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equity—and it matters now more than ever.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Christine L. Cho
Christine L. Cho
Christine L. Cho, PhD, is a Professor at Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education. A practicing visual artist and a former elementary school teacher, Christine utilizes visual media and critical pedagogy to expand upon diverse ways of knowing. Her research contributes to current educational conversations on racial, ethnic, linguistic, and LGBTQ+ representation in schools.

Advertisement

Read More

Talking Educational Equity with Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore

A dedicated teacher and educational equity strategist, Marvis Kilgore is passionate about increasing Black male representation in teaching. In our conversation, he shares his vision for transforming education.

Student Sleep Health Week Highlights the Powerful Connection Between Sleep and Well-Being

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is hosting its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 15–19, bringing together families, educators, and community groups to highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students of all ages.

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

Break the Ice: The Ultimate Back-to-School Toolkit

Here are six simple icebreaker activities, as recommended by K–12 educators, that are sure to help make this back-to-school season your best one yet.

How to Tame a Chaotic School Cafeteria: 7 Tips for Managing Lunchroom Behavior

Let’s face it—most staff don’t willingly volunteer for cafeteria duty. But with a few thoughtful tweaks, lunch doesn’t have to be the noisiest, most dreaded 30 minutes of the day.

New Book Offers the First Comprehensive History of Sex Ed in America

Sex ed in schools is about much more than just health. It’s about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equity—and it matters now more than ever.
pin up casino | casino en linea mexico | winstar casino | bingo online casino | casino en vivo | casino en linea gratis | la caliente mx | app para ganar dinero paypal 2022 | royal yak casino | casino los pinos | ruleta casino | casino xalapeño | slots online sin depósito para ganar dinero | casino andares | apuestas deportivas | momios en caliente | casino vallarta | juegos gratis nft para ganar dinero | ruleta de la suerte para poner nombres | manos poker | calientesports mx n | ruleta de dinero facebook como funciona | nuevos casinos online | 00 ruleta | giros gratis casino | web para ganar dinero a paypal | play do it | casino del sol tucson | casino codere san luis potosi | unidad deportiva casino español | winpot bono 500 | casino infantil | apuestas | casino orus | play city casino plaza real | capri casino | royal yak casino | sunland park racetrack & casino | bonos de casino con premios | el casino del diablo leyenda | casino virtual | juegos de casino tragamonedas | hotel monte casino cdmx | casino life vallarta | spin bet mx | como ganar dinero en máquinas tragamonedas 2018 | codere bono | ruleta de colores como hacer | codere club | monopoly casino | jackpot slots | coche de la ruleta gta v hoy | flamingo las vegas hotel & casino | como ganar dinero con una idea tan brillante | casino codere boca del rio | casino hollywood | trucos maquinas tragamonedas españa | casino codere forum | danna paola ruleta | casino revolucion | rey casino | pullman casino de la selva | online casino real money | casino online con bono de bienvenida sin deposito |