OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
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MATERIALS
PRESENTATION GUIDE
This lesson is straightforward. For most presentations, you can simply go over the material found in the fact sheet. This guide simply provides comments on how you might present the material, suggestions for eliciting participant discussion and descriptions of supplementary material and activities you may want to use. Don't feel like you have to follow or use everything in it. You know your audience better than anyone else, you know how much time you have to make your presentation and you have your own unique ways of presenting material you're most comfortable with.
INTRODUCTION
Begin your presentation by acknowledging that sexual orientation is a sensitive topic and that there's a lot of misinformation about it. You can then go over the first couple of paragraphs of the fact sheet making sure everyone understands what the terms "sexual orientation," "heterosexual," "homosexual" and "bisexual" mean.
WHAT DETERMINES SEXUAL ORIENTATION
It's important to be sure participants understand the material in this section. Many teens are at a point in their lives where they may be questioning their own sexuality. It's important for them to hear the message that their early adolescent experiences and "dreams" shouldn't be interpreted as proof of any long-term, adult sexual orientation. Since gay and lesbian youth often feel isolated, are questioning themselves and are at "high risk" in a number of areas; it's important for any of them in the group to hear the message that they didn't choose their sexual orientation and that many homosexuals form lasting, loving, caring and committed relationships. They also need to hear someone like you say that they don't deserve to be rejected for who or how they are.
HOMOPHOBIA
As you go over the material in this section, be sure participants understand what homophobia is and why it is common.
If you think the group would be receptive, you may want to have participants complete the "Participant Survey" found at the end of this guide. It is designed to measure prejudice towards homosexuals. Have them score their own surveys giving themselves 1 point for "agree" answers on items 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 and "1" point for "disagree" answers on items 1, 2, 4, 9, and 11. The higher the total score, the higher their prejudice. Take time to discuss the results. Ask participants why they answered particular questions the way they did. If it is a typical group, males probably scored higher than females. See if this is the case. If so, ask participants why they think that is. End the discussion by pointing out that many people are prejudiced because they believe many of the common myths about gays and lesbians and that you want to mention some of them.
MYTHS
The best way to present the material from this section is to simply go over each of the myths in the fact sheet. You may be able to get some group discussion going by asking participants if they've heard any of the myths before. After you're finished, you may also want to ask if they've heard anything else about homosexuals they'd like to bring up.
INTEGRITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
End your presentation by going over the material in this last section. Stress the point that everyone has an obligation to respect others and treat them fairly. Ask for comments or questions.
AUTHOR: Gary L. Hansen, Ph.D., Extension Specialist in Sociology, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky; and William W. Mallory, Fayette County Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky.
