Even+Stevens

=__**Essential Questions**__= Is America open to different sexual orientations?

- After doing some research, and going around to different classrooms we found many people to have their own opinion on gay marriage. Many people have a very strong opinion on this topic.

= __Challenge__ =

To encourage everyone to be more open minded about sexual orientation even if you don't support it.

**__ Guiding Questions! __**
1. Why isn't gay marriage legal in all states? 2. Should they be able to adopt and start a family? 3. Should gay people have to hide their identity around others? 4. If you don't believe in gay marriage how do you expect them to behave?

**__ Notes/Plans/Group Discussion __**
Survey: Surevey #2:
 * Do you support gay marriages?
 * Do you not support gay marriage?
 * Do you believe gay marriage will be legal in more state in the next couple of years?
 * Do you feel that saying words applying to sexual orientation in the halls actually hurts people?
 * Do you feel like no one actually cares?[[image:20100812_penischart_560x375.jpg width="392" height="261" align="right"]]
 * Would you still accept your friend if they openly came out?

__**NOTES**__
 * States that allow gay marriages: Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Washington D.C. and Iowa.
 * the picture right shows that more Americans are for gay marriages than against. (52, 46) "That's a major milestone in itself, but what's more, gay-marriage supporters could not ask for a better symbolic representation of America's changing attitudes than the one in this graph. " (Dana Amira)

__**Interview: Jeff Jasper**__

1. Do you or do you not support gay marriage? 2. Do you believe gay marriage will be legal in more states in the next couple of years? 3. Do you fell that saying words applying to sexual orientation in the halls and on the streets actually offend people? 4. Would you still accept a friend or family member of they openly came out? 5. Should gay people be able to adopt and start a family? 6. Why do you feel gay marriage isn't legal in all states?
 * 1) Fully support gay marriage; how can a marriage be defined as a man and a woman? Marriage is about love and caring and sharing life’s experiences. Of course, it is this definition of what marriage is that is the foundation to the issue.
 * 2) Yes, marriage will be more legal than the 5 that have it now, and the California case will go a long way in determining this. The California case will get to the Supreme Ct and then a decision will be made that will have as far reaching effects as Roe v Wade.
 * 3) As for words: I realize that words are most hurtful and are dangerous. Most people who use the slang words mean nothing by them but that is no excuse for using them. Using the N word may not mean you are racist but it certainly is inappropriate and using gay slurs is exactly the same thing. Most people are ignorant and do not understand the hurt. Ask anyone who is a minority how they feel when they hear Jew, or nigger or ‘those people’. As Bob Dylan said, if for one moment you could walk in my shoes you would know what a drag it is to see you. If you knew an openly gay person, you would never use the slurs.
 * 4) Of course
 * 5) Absolutely. What the fact the divorce rate is over 50%, that more and more kids are raised in single family homes and that there are childless heter couples: why not give kids the chance for a ‘family’ experience. Oh by the way, don’t over simplify this: gay couples break up too.
 * 6) Not legal because politicians are afraid of elections. Until younger people who tend to be more liberal and understanding on this issue take an active civic voice, approval will come through the court system

__**Surveys**__ Do you support gay marriage?- 49 yes / 29 no Do you believe gay marriage will be legal in the next couple of years?- 80 yes / 4 no Do you feel that saying words apply to sexual orientation in the hallways actually hurts people? - 42 yes / 39 no Would still accept your friend if they came out to you?- 69 yes / 13 no

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