Sexual orientation / gender identity and education

Sexual orientation / gender identity took different directions in Illinois and Delaware this week. Northwestern University took action to better understand the makeup of its student body. In Delaware, a school board member wants to deny the existence of LGBT persons. Here’s the news:

NU grad school asks about sexual orientation 

Evanston, IL. (AP) — Northwestern University's graduate school has added an optional question to its applications asking prospective students about their sexual orientation.

The school posted a statement on its website this week explaining that the intention is to better understand the makeup of its community and better address its needs and concerns.

The question asks whether an applicant self-identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. The initials stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning.

The school says that, to its knowledge, it's one of only several schools in the country asking the question on admission applications.

The graduate school also has a new Office of Diversity and Inclusion tasked with advocating for underrepresented groups.

Board member opposes teaching definition of gay 

Georgetown, DE. (AP) — A school board member in downstate Delaware is opposed to a new health curriculum that includes definitions for terms including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.

The Daily Times of Salisbury, Maryland, reports that Indian River School District Board of Education member Shaun Fink spoke at a meeting this week about his opposition to the curriculum. He says schools in the district should not be teaching "anything that discusses gender identity, homosexuality."

Fink says it's not the place of schools to teach whether being gay is "normal."

Some teachers pushed back against Fink's concerns, saying that some students aren't learning about transgender people or other topics related to sexual orientation at home. One teacher noted that there are transgender students in the district.

Information from: The Daily Times of Salisbury, MD.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – September 28, 2014 @ 12pm