The Philadelphia School District last year designated October as Gay and Lesbian History Month. After receiving a barrage of complaints, the school district decided at the end of last week to do away with Gay and Lesbian History Month. To remain balanced, the school district has decided also to do away with African American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and other history months. The school district claims that this move will have no effect on the actual programming in the schools; however, skeptics rightfully point out that teachers may suspect that the district will be less than supportive should they decide to organize an event concerning lesbian and gay history.
It is truly sad when an educational institution decides that is too controversial to teach their students about history:including the contributions that lesbians, gays, African Americans, Hispanics, women, and other groups have made despite long histories of oppression. How are we ever to learn from our past mistakes if we cannot even acknowledge that they occurred? Unfortunately, those in charge of the Philadelphia School District appear to have missed this lesson of history.
For the Philadelphia Inquirer story, click here.
-Anthony C. Infanti
