Controversy about sexual orientation classes in Puerto Rico schools
By Hope Gillette, Saludify
The bill, which was drafted by Sen. Maria Gonzalez Lopez, is a huge advancement in sexual education for Puerto Rico, one the Coalition for Human Rights indicated in a statement will “take an important step in eradicating violence and promoting the values of respect, equity and appreciation of diversity.”
The decision to back the bill in Puerto Rico has been criticized by the Citizens Coalition in Defense of the Family, according to Hispanically Speaking News, with the organization claiming Gov. Garcia Padilla was allowing Puerto Rico schools to “teach homosexuality.”
“It’s regrettable that in the face of the economic-social crisis that prevails in Puerto Rico our governor is giving priority to complicating the panorama of the education of our children with the teaching of homosexuality in the (island’s) schools,” said Defense of the Family spokesperson Evelyn De Jesus.
Sexual orientation topics in Puerto Rico schools
Despite the controversy now surrounding the decision to allow sexual orientation topics to be a part of sexual education classes in Puerto Rico, the change is considered a positive one for public health, especially by United Nation standards. The global powerhouse has long had a firm stance regarding acceptance of all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
“Some say that sexual orientation and gender identity are sensitive issues. I understand,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the Human Rights Council in 2012. “Like many of my generation, I did not grow up talking about these issues. But I learned to speak out because lives are at stake, and because it is our duty under the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect the rights of everyone, everywhere.”
Sexual orientation needs to be taught in school around the world–not just in Puerto Rico–because it is one of the only ways to provide people with the correct knowledge regarding sexual health early on. Children who have common homosexuality myths debunked in school are less likely to be prisoners of those thought processes later in life, decreasing the likelihood of depression and suicide attempts.
Acceptance and inclusion is key to reducing the number of mental disorders experienced by members of the lesbian, bisexual and gay (LBG) communities, according to data from the National Library of Medicine. LBG individuals often experience what is referred to as “minority stress,” or the stigmas, prejudice and discrimination, which can lead to mental disorders.
Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, LBG individuals experience more mental health problems related to substance abuse, depression and affective disorders, which experts have linked directly to mental stresses from sexual discrimination.
“Studies demonstrated that social stressors are associated with mental health outcomes in LGB people, supporting formulations of minority stress,” wrote researchers in an addition of the NIH Psychological Bulletin. “Evidence from between-groups studies clearly demonstrates that LGB populations have higher prevalences of psychiatric disorders than heterosexuals.”
Clearing up myths through sexual orientation education
Because of the extreme social stress and stigma placed on people of non-heterosexual orientation, strides must be taken to ensure public awareness about sexual health is correct. While experts don’t know the exact factors influencing sexual orientation development, they do know it is linked to biological and environmental factors, not a matter of choice.
Research from a a 2008 Swedish study of twins–the largest study of twins done–found both homosexuality and heterosexuality were influenced by the same factors, biological and environmental.
“[H]omosexual behaviour is largely shaped by genetics and random environmental factors,” Dr. Qazi Rahman, study co-author and a leading scientist on human sexual orientation, wrote in the research. “This study puts cold water on any concerns that we are looking for a single ‘gay gene’ or a single environmental variable which could be used to ‘select out’ homosexuality — the factors which influence sexual orientation are complex. And we are not simply talking about homosexuality here — heterosexual behaviour is also influenced by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors.”
Other myths associated with sexual orientation include, as listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center:
- Gay people can decide not to be gay: Just as people do not chose heterosexuality, LBG individuals cannot choose their sexual orientation.
- Being gay makes an individual prone to drug and alcohol abuse: LBG individuals have higher rates of mental disorders not because of their sexual orientation, but because of the social stress and discrimination associated with it.
- LBG individuals don’t live as long as heterosexuals: In 1994 a research paper claimed homosexual men had a significantly shorter life expectancy compared to heterosexual men. Experts now indicate the data was fatally flawed as the test sample did not correctly represent the LBG population.
- Individuals who are homosexual were abused as children: While child abuse can cause certain sexual disorders, sexual orientation is not the result of abuse. No research study has ever linked the two.
- Same-sex parents harm children: The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2002 and 2009 policy statement indicated:”A growing body of scientific literature demonstrates that children who grow up with one or two gay and/or lesbian parents fare as well in emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as do children whose parents are heterosexual.” Their position is currently supported by the American Psychological Association and the Child Welfare League of America.
- Homosexuals are more likely than others to abuse a child sexually: The American Psychological Association indicates sexual orientation does not influence how likely a person is to sexually abuse another.
Homosexuality acceptance in Puerto Rico
While the controversy regarding the Puerto Rico plan to allow orientation as a part of sexual education is likely to continue, at the moment there is no indication Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla will change his decision.
Like it or not, sexual orientation is something that must be addressed eventually in life, and teaching students in school may be the best method of disseminating the correct information.
This article was first published in Saludify.
Hope Gillette is an award winning author and novelist. She has been active in the veterinary industry for over 10 years, and her experience extends from exotic animal care to equine sports massage.
[Photo by US Army Garrison Red Cloud – Casey]