UK School Highlights Achievements of Gays in History

Imagine the hyperventilation among theKool-Aid drinkers if a public school in the USA tried to follow the example of Stoke Newington School in the United Kingdom. The school now works into the school curriculum information about the achievements of famous gays in history. True, many of these figures have been studied for years except that they have been de-gayed so that Christofascists and others gay haters like them don't get their panties in a huge wad. Our religious fanatic foes would have society view us as depraved and sick losers when in fact, such is not the case. Indeed, the Nazi Pope's Vatican would be a far different - and less fabulous - place without the contributions of gay artists and others. Not only would a similar program in schools here open closed minds, but it would also provide hope for gay youth who now often have no role models. The Independent has coverage and here are some highlights:
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"What," asks the teacher, "have Sir Elton John, Alexander the Great, William Shakespeare and Clare Balding got in common?" Other slides flash up at the front of the class: Sir Ian McKellen, Julius Caesar, Martina Navratilova, Richard the Lionheart, Oscar Wilde and Pam St Clement (EastEnders' Pat Butcher).
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After some discussion, the answer arrives: they are all gay, lesbian or bisexual – Shakespeare is said to have been bisexual, this class is told – and they all feature in a new drive pioneered at a north London comprehensive which is trying to stamp out homophobic bullying.
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Elly Barnes, the teacher who devised it, is now training staff from across the country to use the material. She has even had an approach from a school in Perth, western Australia.
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The way the programme works at Stoke Newington is that all pupils attend joint assemblies on the issue and then it is fed into the curriculum of different subjects during a month set aside for stressing the contribution of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in history. The school devised special lessons for teachers in every subject. In computer technology, they fixed on the story of Alan Turing, the mathematician at Bletchley Park, who cracked German codes during the Second World War, who was gay.
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"It is something that can be swept under the carpet," said 16-year-old Kelly Grew. Jo Farrelly, 11, added: "It does help your understanding and I think everybody should have these lessons. By explaining it to kids they understand." Another said: "I didn't want to be associated with people who were gay or lesbian, but now I'm comfortable about it." Ms Gammon added: "One parent saw homosexuality as a sin and didn't want their child to be part of lessons. We had a discussion and their child participated. We are not a religious school and I feel it is a human rights issue."
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Many parts of the "Old Europe" derided by the far right in America are quickly leaving the USA as the country that's backwards and reactionary. Long term, the Christianist embrace of ignorance and bigotry does not bode well for America.