Gender, gender identity and sexual orientation are all topics that all of us have or will have to encounter at some point in life. In child care centers, most people believe that books and other readings should not portray homosexuality. I believe that it is just as important as any other issue that we discuss in the early childhood field. In my opinion, children need to know how to deal with this issue so that they are well prepared on how to react and how to treat others with different sexual orientation and gender identities other than the one of their choice. Just like any other issue, this one pertaining to sexual orientation, is among one of the important issues pertaining to diversity.
Furthermore, some people have biases that pertain to sexual orientation. However, when requested by family to keep homosexual instructors I would have no choice but to respect their wishes. At the same time I would also help encourage them that whomever the instructor is, is well qualified and able to provide the same education as the others if not better. But, in addition to that I would still be forced to keep their wishes in mind to be respectful. Depending on the severity of the situation, I would even suggest that they take their child else where in order to show how important it is to introduce the children to diversity. Diversity is one of the issues that are important to a learning environment, just as if learning to learn with someone who is among a different race or ethnicity.
