AIBU to talk about gay people with year 3s?

[opalfruitblast]

We were talking generally today, when I said that there are more males than females in the world. One child then asked who the extra boys would marry if there were not enough girls. Another child said that boys can marry boys, to which one child went 'urgh!', thus another child saying she didn't understand how people can be against men loving men or women loving women.

I said that, in my eyes, love is love, and it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. Bear in mind I have a child in my class with two mums, and one with two dads...

Should I even be discussing homosexuality with 7 and 8 year olds? Personally, I think they should know about the different types of people in the world but I can see how some parents might object.

47 don't be stupid. Being a Christian is a choice, homosexuality is not a choice. This is why it is completely different! Your brand of Christianity hurts other people, being gay hurts nobody. And nobody is telling you to not be a Christian and not practice your faith, we are telling you not to spread hate against other people.
I would also tell anyone of any religion or of no religion that they are wrong if the spread homophobia.
Don't whine that people are being 'christaphobic', that's a joke. You as a straight, white British person are not at a disadvantage in this society, don't pretend your experiencing that racism that Muslim people suffer.

Dawndonna

You're welcome

Lovebunny, so are Leviticus's apparent anti-gay references. And if the OP was referring to St Paul, then surely she'd have different views on the subjugation of women?

Empress, fucking hurrah for some religious people being open-minded enough to accept all relationships. My Nan and Grandad are 85 and 87, respectively. Raised as proper old school 'Irish Catholics' but are completely accepting of gay relationships, unconventional relationships, and DP and I living together without being married. Thank fuck for people like them. Empress, I'm sorry for the shite you have had to read from bigoted arseholes on this thread.

conkercon, all your quotes are from the old testament, before Jesus

And here is the sum total of what Jesus had to say about homosexuality. "

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I don't think he was the son of god, but he seemed to be on the right lines with the neighbour loving and cheek turning and all that jazz. He also seemed pretty well adjusted for an only child.

I am a Christian and will not put up with the subjugation of women

Oh really? Let's see what your good book says, especially St Paul:

?I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.? (1 Timothy 2:12)

So given that you have amply demonstrated you determination not to be silent, is Saint Paul wrong about this but right about homosexuality?

Or do you pick nd choose a few quotes that act as convenient fig leaves for your own bigotry.

Feenie the word 'gay' seems to have changed to mean something is rubbish. I don't think they mean it to be homophobic even though it is

No, intent is not always there, but it must always be challenged and it should be explained that it is offensive.

Teddy - You're absolutely right. My comments were meant to be directed at the tone of the thread, not the argument itself. Sorry for not making that clear enough. My dream would be that somehow some of the clever Mums on Mumsnet might manage to "convert" someone like 47, but by intelligent persuasion and debate rather than attack. Although I totally understand the desire to fight for a cause you believe in, but going on the offensive, realitating or whatever you want to call, it tends to back your opposition into a corner too. Their only option is to come out fighting and typically it entrenches their views.

I think the OP handled the situation very well and in tune with my own beliefs. I think she was right to guage opinion on Mumsnet because 47 shows that she could have some parents who might complain. I suspect those that would could be quite different to 47, more subtle.

DS' school has just had Sex Ed sessions and I was very suprised that some parents openly expressed and chatted about how unhappy they were with how the teachers had tackled gay issues and homophobia with Y5/6s. I was also slightly shocked at which parents were unhappy. Dark horses all of them and in many ways more of a concern to me than 47 because in so many other ways they would "pass" in my world as relatively modern and liberal until that point. Several of them went quietly and privately to the head to whine, others didn't - they just continued to teach their kids their own beliefs at home. None of them are particularly religious, or driven by their faith like 47, but they are typically middle Britain. I find it very depressing.

ennimead
No worries. Normally I'd highlight the quote, but didn't want to highlight that particular piece, unfortunately it made it more difficult to see my last sentence.

And Sorry ennimead if I seemed a bit aggressive.

What you said OP seems fine to me. So YNBU.

Re: the 'Homophobia is Gay' badge. I got it from a gay friend, and my DD appropriated it from me to wear. I believe it originally came from a seller at a Gay Pride event. It's pink background with 'punk' black writing. Has anyone else ever seen one?

My favourite ever Gay Pride T-shirt (not on me, alas) said 'Sodom today, Gomorrah the world'.

That is brilliant!

You're lovely, Shadows. Thank you.

DP and I are used to it though. DD is the vulnerable one and if some DC started giving her a hard time 'because my mum says your mums are sinners' we would be more than ready to bring down the wrath of God on the bitch.

Bitch meaning the parent, not the DC.

OP you were spot on with your comments as far as I am concerned. DS 8 (year 3) has a gay uncle and we have discussed how love is love and that gender does not matter since he was about 4 years old.

We are living in 2012 and in a society that has tolerance and understanding (for the most part)

I am so thankful that Britain is generally a very tolerant nation. Some attitudes on here though always remind me that the far right and religious zealots are never far away to make people feel shameful and small so they can feel superior and big

This thread makes me feel there is hope yet for humanity .

And of course the OP's response was spot on.