An incremental, systematic approach has been underway in the educational system for many years and its fruit is abounding. 20 years ago, many were shocked when VCY America learned that the Milwaukee, WI, public schools had a gay and lesbian advisory committee that met monthly.
VCY America obtained an extensive manual filled with information on how to incorporate the gay-lesbian and bisexual agenda into the schools. At that time they were speaking of homophobia and heterosexual privilege. There was information on how to reduce homophobic bigotry by having role models such as openly homosexual teachers, coaches and administrators. They also spoke of bringing in homosexual guest speakers and establishing gay-straight alliances to reassess the curriculum to incorporate gay and lesbian issues throughout, and not just in classes like health education, but in traditional disciplines as well. One example is the use of same-sex couples in math story problems.
Sarah Scheufele admits that she hasn t had all of the answers over the last year.
Between the Jan. 6 insurrection at the United States Capitol and the peaceful protests at the Illinois State Capitol and throughout the country following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, she posed a question, How much do you tell a nine-year-old about what s going on?
Her son, Grayson, is a third-grader at Lindsay Elementary School. While she was unable to answer every one of his questions over the last year, she was able to answer the question she posed.