Children's school books featuring gay characters

[passinginterest]

Oddly enough that's also one of her books where the Golliwogs are actually the main characters and the hero's of the story. There is a series of them in which they feature as the hero's.

[anto1208]

I regularly hear the kids using terms like gay in a derogatory way. They dont mean harm and are only copying what they hear but with more explanation and understanding they could avoid it.

The word has changed meaning it now means something stupid or retarded rather than having anything to do with sexuallity ( ie Everybody loves raymond is gay ). This is mainly due to south park.

Words evolve having a gay old time at xmas now means something very different

[jebus]

The word has changed meaning it now means something stupid or retarded rather than having anything to do with sexuallity ( ie Everybody loves raymond is gay ). This is mainly due to south park.

Words evolve having a gay old time at xmas now means something very different

It now means having a retarded time at Christmas?

[anto1208]

It now means having a retarded time at Christmas?

Depends on how retarded you get at xmas

[Cymro]

I'm surprised no-one has yet to mention that gay really means happy in this thread, particularly as it's one about kids' books.

I tend to think that primary school is too young to be teaching kids about sexual orientation, or sex in general, but I do agree with micls that maybe something should be done about kids using the word gay in a derogatory sense. Although I have to say I grew up using the word gay derogotarily and have no problem with the Dafydd Thomases of this world, so maybe that would overly PC.

[micls]

I tend to think that primary school is too young to be teaching kids about sexual orientation, or sex in general,

I agree tbh, but I dont think thats the idea. Id imagine its more like a gay couple in the storym, rather than discussing is as 'sexual orientation'.

but I do agree with micls that maybe something should be done about kids using the word gay in a derogatory sense. Although I have to say I grew up using the word gay derogotarily and have no problem with the Dafydd Thomases of this world, so maybe that would overly PC.

And many many others would be the same. But the problem is the percentage of children who dont have minds as 'open' as ours, and carry on believing what they heard/learned as a child without thinking it through.

The majority will grow out of it, but if we can stop children from seeing 'gay' as derogatory in the first place, maybe we can stop some people turning into homophobes.

As well that Id imagine, a young lad/girl, who has grown up using 'gay' as a derogatory term, and then realises he may be or is gay will have more difficulty coming to terms with it given teh context the term had been used in during his upbringing

Id imagine similarly years ago there are plenty of children who would have used derogatory names for black people, who now would not in any way be racist. It still isn't acceptable though for children to do the same now. Id like to see the same happen as much as possible with 'gay'.

[Macy]

I agree tbh, but I dont think thats the idea. Id imagine its more like a gay couple in the storym, rather than discussing is as 'sexual orientation'.

That would be my understanding too, it's introducing gay couples as normal. Only right as there could be children with gay parents.

[anto1208]

The majority will grow out of it, but if we can stop children from seeing 'gay' as derogatory in the first place, maybe we can stop some people turning into homophobes.

As well that Id imagine, a young lad/girl, who has grown up using 'gay' as a derogatory term, and then realises he may be or is gay will have more difficulty coming to terms with it given teh context the term had been used in during his upbringing

.

I think racisim/ homophobic etc is something kids grow into rather than grow out of. Normally kids dont care they have to be thought how to hate.


Still i like using the word gay in the new context i think all the gay gays need to stop being so gay and just get over it

[jebus]

On another homophobic topic Heinz yesterday withdrew one of their TV adverts that showed two men kissing after it drew 200 complaints. Wow, 200 people still support Mary Whitehouse and we're all supposed to follow suit. Gutless knee jerk reaction from Heinz who shouldn't have included the image if they hadn't the bottle to back it up

[Schumi]

The ad was a bit too saucy then?

[Pauro 76]

I'll have to ketchup on that ad to see what the fuss was about. Spread the word. Does anyone have a sauce for this?

[osarusan]

Ridiculous to be protesting the ad. Homosexuals are human beans too.

[GavinZac]

Riduculous to be protesting the ad. Homosexuals are human beans too.

Oh come on, bloody homosexuality, you have to condimen't.

[Aberdonian Stu]

The ad was a bit too saucy then?

That's just appalling.

[dcfcsteve]

I have three words for anyone worried bout the possiiity of children's cartoons or stories including gay characters :

Spongebob Square Pants.....

[Pauro 76]

I have three words for anyone worried bout the possiiity of children's cartoons or stories including gay characters :

Spongebob Square Pants.....

Ah yeah. Patrick the Starfish, surely gay.