- I would begin presenting the material well into the class' semester (at least one month after the students were well acquainted with both me and each other).
- I would lead into the topic by referring to a question asked me every semester at the beginning, "Are you married?", as I begin each term with a question/answer sesion at the outset. Thus I would say now, "You asked before if I was married. Well, that's almost true. My partner and I have been together for eighteen years."
- Next I would lead into the issue most students (and most outsiders in general!) ask (themselves): "How do gay people differ from their stratight counterparts?" The answer: Often VERY LITTLE. Then it would be time to begin showing/telling of work/activities I/my partner and I have done besides our "official" jobs. Some examples:
- Two years volunteering as a counselor in the Shanti Project, 1986-1988. This could lead into a discussion of AIDS and the impact it has had on the Gay and straight communities, and how we have learned to live and deal with this.
- Renovating two historic buildings here in San Francisco, 1984-1986 and 1991-1994.
- Singing with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, 1981-1992 and with the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Chorus, 1992-1993. Video/audio tapes work well here.
- Dancing with several Gay square dance clubs here in the city, 1991-present.
- Helping rear my two fatherless goddaughters (to the question, "Do you have much contact with children?" "Indeed!")
©1999, Randy Laroche
|