In Michigan, there are few (if any) high schools that offer topics specific to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.  Because of the absence of the LGBT education, we have to look at what we see on television, in movies or what they hear from others.  Until more recently, characters on television have always been stereotypical. Gay men are portrayed as being incredibly effeminate. Lesbians are seen as always being masculine, or when more feminine, it's solely for the entertainment of men. When individuals are bisexual, their characters are "confused."  And, very rarely is anyone who is transgender ever shown in a positive light.

There are students like us who want to do reports on LGBT individuals, but can't because it's too "taboo."  There are same-sex couples who want to go to prom together, but can't because that's not allowed at their school.  Teachers and administrators regard the bullying we suffer as "boys being boys" and "girls being girls."  When we're called names, those names are just considered terms that are being used nowadays.  In health classes, the means of having safer sex as a same-sex couple is rarely discussed.

This is our education.  It needs to change and we have the abillity to change it. When we create a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) or diversity club at school, we are increasing out visibity in school and we have the opportunity to tell people who we really are.