Our guest speakers briefly discussed their experiences of ‘coming out’. In best case scenarios, young people feel that they are in a safe and supportive environment where they can talk to their family and friends about being their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. However, that is not always the case. Unfortunately, some gay, lesbian and transgender people face rejection from their family, harassment at school, and even persecution from their religion.

Your main post must address one or more of the following questions.

What do you think we could do, either on a community or personal level, to help make the world a safer place for teenagers growing up who identify themselves as LGBTQ?

What benefits might be realized by gay, lesbian and transgender youths if they were able to grow up in a supportive environment, as opposed to one of persecution?

What were some of your personal reactions to the stories you have heard about the ‘coming out’ experiences of our guest speakers?

How would you react if your own son or daughter one day came to you and told you that they were gay/lesbian/transgender?

After you have made your own main post, you are to reply to one of your classmates’ posts as well.

Dr. McHale and your teaching assistants will be reading these discussion boards. Please remember to always be respectful of other students and their opinions. It should go without saying that you must never use abusive, inflammatory, or otherwise offensive language.

This discussion board assignment is due on Sunday, March 28th at 11:59pm. All of your posts should be thoughtful, meaningful, respectful, and be at least 50 to 100 words in length.