Sunday, October 5, 2014

Safe Spaces- Reflection

“Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the life style portrayed in this episode.” Stated in Safe Space a book written on the topic of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth (LGBT). The quote above is a statement given to PBS station on their show Postcards From Buster, a television show for young children. The episode is about Buster the main character traveling with his dad. They end up in Vermont where they meet a family with two sons and a daughter with their two moms. Quickly the episode was pulled for fear that parents didn’t want their children exposed to the “gay” way of life.



As I was growing up in school I really was never introduced to people admitting to be gay or lesbian till the end of middle school going into high school. I was always okay with it and thought that it’s their life and why should I think any different of them. But it never really effected me per say because it never ended up that any of my friends ended up being gay.  Until just recently, one of my best friends came out as transgender. Not that I find it to be wrong, I totally support him if that’s how he really feels. he told me that he felt this way from the first or second grade and has been holding it in for so long. I felt really bad actually, because he continued to tell me that he didn’t tell anyone for the fear of being ridiculed and bullied. It came from someone I would have never expected. This quote made me think about that situation and how he might have felt for his school career and being out casted and looked at as different “ When someone with the authority of a teacher, say, describes the world and you’re not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” (88)

For my link this week I decided to include a link to a youtube video called "Freedom from Fear: Creating Safe Spaces for LGBT Youth"


4 comments:

  1. While reading the part about Postcards From Buster I could not believe they pulled that episode because those children had two moms. The part about your friend bottling up who he really was was so sad. I couldn't imagine not being able to express myself for who I really am. I also really liked the video and how I got to see members of the LGBT community express their feelings.

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  2. It really does seem like a menial reason to pull an episode doesn't it? I was shocked that it was pulled just for that. It is sad that your friend never felt he could live his life for who he really is, but it's great that he feels comfortable enough now with you to be his real self.

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  3. It is amazing how someone can go their whole life, not really living, but in reality only existing, because they feel that they cannot be themselves. I'm happy for your friend for coming out and choosing to live their life, and happy that you still consider them a friend to you. Unfortunately, many lose friends in this process!

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  4. I agree with Chanel, it is amazing how someone feels that they cannot be themseleves because they have a fear of being judged by those around them. I have friends from high school who did not come out until a year or two after we graduated simply because they were afraid of everyone's reaction. If someone is lesbian, gay or transgender, no matter what anyone says they are still human and no one is perfect.

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