ISSUES
: Sexuality and Gender
42
Assignments
Assignments
Brainstorming
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In small groups, discuss what you know about
sexuality and gender. Consider the following points:
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What is sexuality?
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What is gender identity?
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What is the difference between gender and sex?
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What is the Kinsey scale?
Research
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What stereotypes exist surrounding gay men, lesbian
women and transgender people? Can you think
of any films or television programmes you watch,
or books you have read, which perpetrate these
stereotypes? Can you think of any which challenge
them? Make some notes and discuss with a partner.
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Choose an LGBT person from history, or an influential
figure from today, and write a detailed report about
them. Read
#LGBTInnovators – British race walker
Tom Bosworth
on page 12 and
Trans history for
LGBT History Month
on page 17 for inspiration.
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Find out everything you can about being intersex
and create a short presentation for your class.
Design
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Read
The Vito Russo Test
on page 35. Now, think
of a recent storyline in your favourite TV drama or
soap which focused on the experiences of an LGBT
character. Do you think the storyline was done well?
Use this as inspiration to create a storyboard for
your own plotline, covering an LGBT-relevant issue
such as coming out, first relationships or unrequited
crushes.
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In a recent campaign against homophobic bullying
in schools, the charity Stonewall adopted the slogan
‘Some people are gay. Get over it’. This was used
on t-shirts, posters and other campaign materials.
Create your own slogan to help tackle homophobic
bullying and incorporate it into a poster which could
be displayed in schools.
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Create a pamphlet for teens who are questioning
their sexual orientation. You might want to explore
different LGBT terms, as well as including links and
phone numbers to resources they might find helpful.
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Design a poster explaining about the trans umbrella.
How has it changed over time?
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Choose one of the articles in this book and create
an illustration to highlight the key themes/message
of your chosen article.
Oral
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Coming out to parents can be a challenging time
for gay and lesbian young people. In pairs, role
play a scenario in which a young person tells their
parents about their sexual orientation for the first
time. Imagine the feelings of both parties during
your conversation.
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Imagine you have a friend who comes to you and
says they have found a therapist who can help
‘cure’ homosexuality. How would you endeavour
to help your friend understand that there is nothing
wrong with their sexual orientation, and put her on
her guard against therapists claiming to offer these
‘cures’? Role play this scenario with a partner.
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“I’ve got nothing against gay people personally,
but I don’t think it’s appropriate for same-sex
couples to adopt small children who may be
influenced by their lifestyle choices.” Do you agree
with this opinion? Hold a debate in pairs, with one
person taking a supporting view and the other an
opposing one.
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“Age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive sex and
relationship education should be compulsory in
schools.” Discuss this statement in groups and
feedback to the class.
Reading/writing
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Read
My trans daughter
on page 16. Write an
account of these events from Nicki’s viewpoint.
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Write a one-paragraph definition of asexuality.
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The number of children who are born to, or
fostered/adopted by, same-sex couples is growing.
However, most children’s books and stories feature
traditional opposite-sex family structures. Create
a short illustrated children’s book for pre-school
children which includes a same-sex parent family
as part of the story (the story does not need to
be about this issue, however: the aim is to make
children aware that some children live within
same-sex family models).
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Read the article
Understanding non-binary people
(page 20) and write a summary for your school
newspaper.
