Multicultural Hours - Milk

I thought I was okay with LGBTQ people. I grew up in a Christian home my whole life, and I was taught, through church, that being gay was a sin, and that we should love the person, but not the action. However, as I grew up my family wasn’t influenced as much by church, and I started to be more open to others. I wasn’t exactly sure how I was supposed to act toward gay people, but I knew that they had their rights. As I’ve been in college, I have become friends with more openly gay men. Including one of my closest friends that just recently told me he was gay, and there’s now way I would ever abandon him, especially when he really needs people for support.
However, as I began watching this movie, I realized how uncomfortable it made me feel and that was only in the first few minutes. I think I’ve come to terms with the fact that I am partially homophobic. I don’t agree with their choices, simply because as a Christian, God says it is a sin. On the other hand, I do believe they have their rights. They should be allowed the same opportunities as any other person, and they should not be judged based on their life choice. My issue is that I can’t handle intimate scenes that were in this movie. I’m fine seeing two men holding hands, but once it goes beyond that, I start to get uncomfortable, and I know that I shouldn’t act this way.
Harvey Milk worked toward a very important cause. When gay members of the community were attacked by the police, and fourteen people were sent to jail, Harvey decided that if they were to have someone in office to stand up for their rights, then at least they would have some protection. As he decided to run, many people in his community disapproved of this, and the community, including the police, would show their hatred by physically and emotionally harassing him. By being the first openly gay man to run for a political position, he opened doors for many others.
I think this movement gave opportunities for other LGBTQ people to feel safe, and be able to live their life with the choice they so choose. This movie made me more aware of how huge this issue really is in our world. As a teacher, I’m going to have to be aware that my students will come from many different families, and they are going to have many different views. I am going to have to make sure all my students feel comfortable in my classroom, and that they know that my classroom is a safe zone for anyone, of any background. Even though I will be an elementary teacher, I have to be conscious to the idea that I may even have a student that is gay or confused. The best thing of me to do is make sure that I have prepared myself for any situation that may arise.
(This movie was two hours long.)