Rainbow Educators' Network

Look at this list of words and write them under the following headings.

happy
friendly
rich
sad
afraid
strange
different
shy
creative
artistic
clever
funny
fun
stupid
intelligent
angry
caring
normal
warm
business-like
good/bad at business
good/bad at decorating
good/bad at computers
good/bad at conversation
good/bad drivers
good/bad at cooking
good/bad with machines
good/bad at sports
good/bad at ______________

gay women (lesbians) / gay men / straight women / straight men

Obviously all the words can go under all the categories, but this exercise may bring up some strong feelings in some students, not only related to gay people but also to role of men and women. Encourage students to not only talk about their reasons for their beliefs, but to be aware of how labeling or stereotyping people puts limits on how people "should" or "shouldn't" act, behave or be. By limiting others we also limit ourselves, because we, too, must always behave within the limits we have established.

RAINBOW EDUCATORS' NETWORK http://www2.gol.com/users/aidsed/rainbow/teaching/labels.html