The Invisible Minority

Basic information about sexual orientation is provided with guidelines that teachers can easily use for presentations in their classrooms. The information is helpful to all students, including those who are straight. It is especially needed for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth in schools because they often face persecution and do not have family members who can help them cope. Nearly onethird of all teenage suicides are related to persecution around the issue of sexual orientation. Every classroom contains one or more students who now or will eventually identify themselves as gay or lesbian. Information is provided for all grade levels and classes that teach sexuality as well as English and History. A dozen appendices provide more detailed information and references including Homosexuality and the Bible, Slurs, Facts and Statistics. Homosexuality is a normal variation that occurs in nature in many species and among most, if not all, of humankinds various cultures. Homosexuality is a variation very much like lefthandedness. Most of the population is righthanded. A significant minority of the population is naturally lefthanded. Lefthanded people are present in all occupations and have made important contributions throughout history. Similarly, most of the population is heterosexual. A significant minority of the population is naturally homosexual. Homosexual people are present in all occupations and have made important contributions throughout history Extensive research over the last 50 years indicate that about 10% of the population in the United States is exclusively homosexual. Kinseys research indicated that an additional 5% engage in homosexual behavior part of the time. These percentages have been confirmed by many scientists, but even if the numbers were much smaller, it does not change what needs to be done in schools to meet the needs of a vulnerable, invisible minority.