"Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community" by Dennis Carlson

Premise:
-shame
-difference
-sexual identity
-silence/invisibility
-recognition
-normalizing
-deviance
-community of interest
-selective tradition
-stereotypes
-condition
-gay identity vs. homosexual orientation or preference

Argument:
Carlson argues that American culture is experiencing a shift in the views related to homosexuality in the workplace and in society as a whole. He believes that there is a difference between having a gay identity and having a homosexual sexual orientation preference. Carlson also believes that schools try to put a blanket over any issues of homosexuality in order to "normalize"the enviroment and diverge any attention away from the issue. Carlson opposes this response to gays in the schools and instead, believes that public schools should be open to the gay influence. He believes that communication instead of silence is the best method when working to achieve understanding and respect amongst the gay and straight, student and teacher population. Carlson believes that the multicultural curriculum that is being constructed in NYC is a positive force that is working to spread equality and provide gay communities with a voice.

Evidence:
-In regards to the differentiation between the gay identity and mere sexual preference Carlson states that a gay identity refers to "the construction a gay self identity and visible gay prence within a culture" while homosexual sexual preference is "more-or-less the natural direction of one's sexual desires." There is certainly a distinction between two terms, a distinction that many people are most likely unaware of.
-as an aspect of multicultural education Carlson states, "the objective of clssroom discourse" in which "all voices are heard and all truths are understood," would "clarify differences and agreements, work toward coalition-building across difference when possible, and build relationships basded on caring and equity."
-"the final compromise multicultural curriculum constructed in NYC is the best that progressive forces that hope for in the current situation."
-Carlson presents the effects of the lack of understanding of gays when he explains how people thought being gay was a "condition" and that it was "contagious."

Comments:
This selection definitely links back to Johnson's ideas of "just naming the issues." Carlson explains how the lack of communication by gays and straights of the issues is further perpetuating the problem and to correct this, the silence needs to be broken and the names named. I would personally like to know if Dennis Carlson is of homosexual prefernce.