To those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals, I say consider the message we are sending to those families when we do not include those materials. I would then refer to a story by Mary Cowhey, who talked about how family photos are displayed in the front hallway of the school where she teachers, and how parents have commented that just looking at those family photos made them feel welcome, like they could fit it (Pelo, 2008, p. 179). Next, I would remind them that in a society where it seems that the masses have begun to embrace diversity and inclusion, we have to embrace it in the environment where children first learn about their differences (and likenesses) so questions can be asked and answered by individuals who are educated and by families who can provide guidance and information as well. Early childhood centers are the perfect settings to begin to show children that different family make-ups are ok, that inclusion of books that include gay and lesbian storylines will only increase their understanding and tolerance.
How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child. In response to a parent/family member who informed me that they did not want anyone who is perceived homosexual or transgender to care for, educate or interact with their child, I would ask them why they felt this way first. I would then provide statistics about the importance of inclusion in every form. However, if their response is one that is derived from hatred or intentional insensitivity, I would, I would then let them know that while I have no choice but to respect their opinion values and feelings, they can kindly take that energy elsewhere but also inform them that they will be hard pressed to find any facilities where everyone is straight and represents their ideals.
The narrator in the Laureate Sexual Orientation video pointed out that it is “still important to acknowledge the existence of families with gay and lesbian parents so that children are prepared to be respectful when they do meet people who are lesbian or gay” (Laureate Video). So, one last thing that I would relay to them is this: regardless of what we believe or not, we cannot put our children in some imaginary bubble and shield them from all of the things that we may disagree with. Because of this, they will see families with two moms or two dads, or they may even meet someone who was born a male and later transition into a female. Our children see these images in their lives when they go to the grocery stores, on television, in churches – just about everywhere. Since they are at such a young and impressionable age, we should talk about these things while they are young and teach them respect for all people.
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.) Start seeing diversity: Sexual orientation
[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Pelo, A. (Ed.). (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milkwaukee, WI:
Rethinking Schools
