Gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation are diverse topics that people have very strong, different views and opinions about.
Heterosexism permeates the world of young children. Looking back on Disney movies, there is typically a princess and prince who eventually fall in love and get married, or if it is a movie without princes and princesses, there is a girl and boy as the main characters. In the past, homosexuality was something that was not typically in children's books and movies. Nowadays I think it is slowly starting to be introduced in children's books, movies, and TV shows. On an episode of a show called T.O.T.S that my children watch, a baby dolphin is adopted by a same sex dolphin couple. In the new movie, Lightyear, there is a same sex couple kiss. I have not seen this movie, but I have seen and heard a lot of backlash because of this scene.
My response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting same sex partnered families is that I do not agree with them. I think these types of books should be in early childhood centers and classrooms. For some children, this is their family and home life. This represents them and their family and shows them that their family is important too. These books are also a way to show other children that there are many types of families. If these books are not included, then children miss an opportunity to learn about diversity and different types of families.
If a parent or family member informed me that they did not want anyone who is perceived or self-reported homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child, I would at first be shocked and probably have to bite my tongue. I would try to act in a professional way, but I am afraid my facial expression to this comment might give away my true feelings. Just because a person is homosexual or transgender does not mean that they are a bad person. They can still educate, care for, and interact with children.
