By Hailey Lederer
Massachusetts is to set in action a new school curriculum which includes more of the LGBTQ+ community. The new program will be optional for all public schools and will reportedly include LGBT themed history, English, and health courses that will feature detailed information about the community in past events, works of literature from members of the community, and most notably LGBT friendly safe sex lessons.
The curriculum is aimed to help the students within the community feel more connected with what they’re learning through lesson plans including the 1969 Stonewall Riots, as well as writing and teachings of gay/lesbian authors. The courses were developed by a team of teachers working with the Massachusetts Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ students aswell as the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. Through the courses, students will hopefully be able to “see themselves in their lesson plans,” according to The Herald.
Lessons from the curriculum will be released in the summer to be implemented by fall, meaning Boston’s high schools will will be some of the first to go through with the program. Some teachers already beginning training on how to how to support students struggling with acceptance or discrimination at home or from people at school involving their sexuality, sexual orientation, and any curiosity or questioning.
