LGBT Noche Familiar de Diversidad

For me it started in with the media headlines of youth who had committed suicide because they were gay or perceived as gay, and the addressing the needs of one of our students who possibly might be gay. It caused me such sadness to know young kids, who had their life ahead of them would kill themselves because they and the world could not accept something so fundamental to who they were.

So some teachers and staff began having meetings to have an LGBT Night for our largely Latino families. I didn’t know what to expect, or who if any would show up as two years ago I was told that a similar workshop didn’t go so well. But last night we had some 50 adults and 40 students. I was really overwhelmed with pride for our staff and families.

I felt strongly that the workshop be done in Spanish and bridge the culture of our families. Many times the materials we have available depict white families, which are one step removed from the culture and language of our families. This was important because of the traditional, machismo and religious taboos on homosexuality in Latin-American countries. We started off with a short video Tres Gotas de Agua, from Our Family Coalition, about the experience of three Latina women who had accepted and loved their had children who turned out to be queer. It was a wonderful, heart touching video. One of our teachers prepared some thoughtful questions (When was the first time who knew of someone who was homosexual? How would you respond if your child wanted to play with toys or dress in clothes of the opposite sex? How would you respond if your child was disciplined for a homophobic hate crime?) I helped facilitate one group—and the thoughtfulness of some of the family members was remarkable: We have to teach respect to our children. We have to see that if our child turned out to be gay, that we would accept and love him. If she wanted to play with toys of the opposite sex, we could have to come to accept it and prepare her for reactions of what others might say.  Rhina, our facilitator, was great. She had great rapport and humor with the Latino families and got them to respond. One mother mentioned that some cultures honor “gay” people. She mentioned that the Zapotecs of Oaxaca called them ira’ muxe. They are known for their artistic skills and ability to make altars. Mothers are proud to have them because they take care of them when they get old. Wow! I am the one educated. We ended with an affirmation of our children. I love my child when ______. It gives me hope.

This is for your Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase, Billy Lucas and Cody J. Barker.