PARAPHRASED FROM: EGALE CANADA & GAYAND LESBIAN EDUCATORS OF B.C.
Myth Busters –Lesbian, Gay, Bi-, Trans. –Intersexed & Questioning Peoples
It’s unnatural
Acting on one’s feelings is natural, while being forcedto live in denial and in secrecy causes great –unnatural – pain.
It’s about one’s quality of life, not the partner’sgender.
LGBT educators are harmful role models forstudents...
Students do not learn to be LGBT... one IS LGBT.
LGBT students most likely are raised by Hetero-parents and live in a hetero-sexist society.
Positive role models are important for all students torealize they are productive members of society.
Elementary students will be confused if they learn about same-gendered families and LGBT issues.
Teaching is about helping students to thinkcritically and to understand the diversity aroundthem.
People choose to be Homosexual.
Homosexual person were aware of having same-sexfeeling at an early age.
The choice lies in whether to live full, open and wellbalanced lives, or to suppress their feelings.
There is a distinct Homosexual Lifestyle.
There is as much variety in a homo-lifestyle as thereis in a hetero-lifestyle.
There is no such things a distinctive homosexuallifestyle, just as there is no such thing as a distinctheterosexual lifestyle.
Within all communities, individuals create their ownlifestyles; there’s nothing ‘alternate’ about it.
Homosexuals are promiscuous ...
Individuals who are promiscuous are often veryvisible; many LGBTTIQ people are in stable andcommitted relationships.
Another issue around this myth is that beingLGBTTIQ is only about sex. LGBTTIQ is aboutsexuality as well.
LGBTTIQ people are sad and lonely, with nothingto offer society.
LGBTTIQ peoples are often unrecognized for theircontributions, or their sexual orientation isunknown.
A growing sense of pride within the LGBTTIQcommunity has enabled many people to reach theirpersonal and professional potential.
LGBTTIQ people do not value family.
Fewer than 1/3rd of all Canadian families are thetraditional “nuclear families.”
The sense of family comes in different forms from“the norm” – eg – friends, partners, partners’ kids...
LGBTTIQ people can be identified by certainmannerisms, clothing or physical characteristics.
LGBTTIQ people come in different shapes, sizes andcolour as do other people.
Because of the lack of LGBTTIQ role models, queeryouth sometimes express themselves adoptstereotypical mannerisms, thinking that this is theonly way to express themselves.
In same-sex relationships, one plays the man andthe other the woman.
This is based on hetero-normative ideas of a binaryman-woman relationship norm.
Most same-sex couples work to develop relationshipsbases on equality and mutuality, where they areloved and appreciated for who they are.
We know what causes homosexuality.
The causes of sexuality are unknown.
It is not the cause that is important, but that peopleare treated with dignity and respect regardless oftheir sexual orientation.
LGBTTIQ people would change if they could.
LGBBTIQ people could change as well as Hetero-people can changesexuality.
Validation, approval and celebration by family and friends, aremajor factors in their comfort, self-esteem and pride.
Discrimation, prejudice, and alienation can cause intense stress,conflict, fear and depression.
There are no cures. There is no illness.
The majority of pedophiles are LGBTTIQ.
The pedophile myth is based on the most damagingcharges levelled against Queer teachers, to keepthem in the ‘closet’ and out of the classroom.
A child is over 100 times more likely to be sexuallymolested by a heterosexual relative than by aLGBTTIQ person (Paediatrics, 1994).
LGBTTIQ people do not make good parents.
LGBTTIQ people come from all kids of families, asdo heterosexuals, and there is no correlationbetween the sexual orientation of parents and that oftheir children.
A child’s chances of being LGBTTIQ are the same,where they are raised by LGBTTIQ parents or byheterosexual parents.
LGBTTIQ teenagers and children do not exist.
LGBTTIQ children may not be visible, but manyLGBTTIQ adults report having a sense of self-awareness from a very early age.
Remember, being LGBTTIQ is an invisible minorityin a hetero-sexist society; assuming their non-existence as youngster will only perpetuate thisignorance.
I don’t know of anyone who is LGBTTIQ.
LGBTTIQ people are everywhere!
This myth perpetuates the idea that LGBTTIQ issuesneed not concern the Hetero-community, becauseLGBTTIQ are “other”, they are elsewhere.
LGBTTIQ people are predominantly young,white, and non-religious.
History shows us that LGBTTIQ people are found atall ages and in all cultures, ethnic groups andreligions.
Eg - There are sub-communities of LGBTTIQpersons who devoutly belong to religious affiliation.