10 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Octob ober
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Uncover the hidden LGBT history in many school lessons
by Scott Hirschfeld
With the sixth annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History Month upon us, many are thinking about how we can make sure that our history is passed on to the next generation.
"I want to address LGBT issues in my classroom," a colleague recently asked me, "but I'm a math teacher. What can I do, change the word problem to read 'Jim and Bob'?"
Seeing a same-sex or multiracial couple embedded in a math problem may be the first opportunity students have ever had to consider the existence of such people in the world.
To my colleague's question, I offer a twopart answer, which I hope will show thatyes, even in math-LGBT "issues" are part of what we need to teach, and which I hope will inspire readers to push to get their community's schools to address LGBT history this October.
My first response is a simple yes. Yes, you should change some problems to read ‘Jim and Bob,' and also ‘Jane and Sally,' 'Carlos and Ming,' 'Mohammed and Olga.' Though this might seem contrived, names and labels are hooks on which we hang ideas within our minds.
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Diversifying the names, and therefore the images, that are brought into the classroom can broaden the ways students understand their fellow human beings. Seeing a samesex or multiracial couple embedded in a math problem may be
the first opportunity they have ever had to consider the existence of such people in the world.
government security clearance after the war, when it was discovered he was gay.
In 1952, Turing was arrested after police learned of his sexual relationship with another man. To avoid a prison sentence, he
GLSEN
teaching respect for all in our schools
This should never be thought of as trivial or minor contributions to the cause of inclusion.
My second response is that we must uncover the "hidden history" of LGBT people that exists in every field.
A case in point for math teachers is the English mathematician Alan Turing (19121954), considered by many to be the father of the modern day computer. As far back as the 1930s, Turing conceived of a single machine that could perform multiple tasks, including numerical work, file handling, and even chess.
The "Turing machine," as it was called, made its first appearance in 1948, which can be considered the birth year of today's computer technology.
Turing also played a critical role in the Allied victory in World War II as the chief breaker of the German "Enigma" code. By breaking this code, Turing enabled the Allies to know every secret transmission of the German military-a critical strategic advantage that many credit as a turning point in the war.
Unfortunately, Turing was a gay man living during a time of limited individual freedom. Ironically, a war based on the elimination of prejudice was followed by an era during which a fear of Communism led to McCarthyism and reduced freedom for gays, Jews and others perceived to threaten "national security."
Though Turing's code-breaking helped to defeat German forces, he was denied a
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agreed to a year of estrogen injections intended to neutralize his libido.
On June 8, 1954, he was found dead by his housekeeper, a half-eaten apple be-
side him. The apple had been laced with cyanide, and the coroner declared Turing's death a suicide. He was 42. One can't help but contemplate what further advances might have come had fear and prejudice not snuffed Alan Turing's flame before its time.
LGBT History Month is an opportunity to commemorate and highlight the unique contributions of LGBT people throughout history. For some, it may be hard to at first grasp how to incorporate this history into prosaic classes like math; it is easy, however, to understand how the inclusion of these stories can bolster awareness, understanding and pride in the people who hear them.
For my friend the math teacher, I offer the example of one of this century's greatest mathematicians, Alan Turing, who also happened to be a gay man.
Scott Hirschfeld is director of education for GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which works to end antigay bias in K-12 schools.
Catholic groups mark a Sunday of GLBT solidarity
by Judy Benson
Cleveland-This past October 10 marked the fourth celebration of Solidarity Sunday, an anti-gay violence initiative sponsored by Dignity USA, a group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics.
In Cleveland, special prayers and readings were included in Sunday liturgies, while rainbow ribbons and prayer cards were given to parishioners after Mass so they could show their
solidarity with their
Solidarity Sunday has had a slow start, but this second year saw more participation, and the positive response of so many Catholics promises even greater support next year.
October also brought Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, a friend of the Catholic GLBT community, to the Cleveland area. Speaking at a fundraiser for Future Church,
dignity
GLBT brothers and sisters and pray for an end to all forms of violence against our community.
Solidarity Sunday has been organized the past two years by Leslie Sadasivian and Judy Benson. This year Sadasivian had the honor
of presenting Judy Shepard, the mother of
slain Wyoming student Matthew Shepard,
with a ribbon and card at the Gay, Lesbian,
and Straight Education Association convention in Atlanta. Shepard also received this year's Pathfinder Award.
an organization bearing witness to the inclusive Jesus, the bishop assured the GLBT of his support with his unwavering declaration that absolutely no one be ex-
cluded from the church.
It was inspiring to hear these words of encouragement, and empowering to hear them as part of a visible Dignity group which included the presence and support of Dignity national president Mary Louise Cervone.
Hopefully, next October will bring greater participation in Solidarity Sunday and more supportive, affirming church leaders.
Judy Benson is a member of Dignity USA.
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Men's chorus has a contest for its new logo
Cleveland-The North Coast Men's Chorus is accepting submissions for consideration in our search for our new logo. The chorus feels that it is time to update the look of the group with a new logo that captures its spirit and mission while celebrating the flavor of gay Cleveland.
In addition, we're looking for something exciting! Eye-catching! Vibrant! (like the performances of the chorus.) A new look that sends a message about how this chorus celebrates the uniqueness, diversity and talent of this community.
We're ready as an organization to grow and prosper, and would love to have your design represent that success. The new logo will grace all of the promotional materials of the chorus including mugs, T-shirts, program booklets, advertisements, banners, etc. The lucky artist whose entry is selected will receive free season tickets for our 19992000 season, acknowledgment in each of our programs next season, and an official Chorus T-shirt bearing his or her design, in addition to the satisfaction of helping us fulfill our mission.
All proposals must be submitted to the North Coast Men's Chorus Logo Contest,
P.O. Box 552, Cleveland, Ohio 44107-0552. Entries must submit one color and one black and white hard copy. Please include your name, address, phone number and email. All entries become the property of the Chorus upon submission.
We're getting ready to begin our next concert season. Please support the chorus by getting your submissions in as soon as possible. For more information, call the Chorus at 216-473-8919.
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