This was a very interesting article. The majority of our class discussions have to do with S.C.W.A.A.M.P, and this subject ties in very much so with that topic. We always focus on what is considered to be the "norm", and what "normal" lifestyles and such are. There's a very good quote on the first page of the article that states "Throughout much of this century, the dominant idea of community in America was represented by what i will call the normalizing community...white, middle class, male, heterosexual, etc.". That is basically all that we discuss in class most of the time. And often we wonder what is politically correct to say in regards to certain subjects, such as homosexuality. Carlson states that the "p.c." labels are "gay" and "lesbian". He also distinguishes between a homosexual orientation and a gay identity. Orientation, is a direction that a person might take involving sexual desires. Whereas gay identity has to do with visible appearance and how they present themselves out in the world.

One of Carlson's bullet points was The Normalizing School Community and Gayness. He stated that there were three techniques involved with normalization; 1) being that there is no real presence of gayness in any school curriculum. 2) the "closeting" and so called "witch hunting" of teachers, and 3) any form of verbal and/or physical abuse towards gay teachers AND students. These were three things that i hadn't ever really realized until brought to my attention. Carlson also states that there are many state throughout the U.S. that strongly prohibit the teaching of homosexuality. "Early in this century, the dismissal of gay teachers was legitimated as a way of keeping young people from being exposed to improper role models, lechery, and child molestation." This is a quote from Willard Walter, which Carlson added to his article. Walter also is quoted saying that, "nothing seems more certain than that homosexuality is contagious." In my opinion this is complete ignorance. How dare somebody every say that.

Another one of Carlson's bullet points was The Representation of Gayness in Popular Culture. Carlson speaks about a French film, La Cage aux Folles. Now as I'm reading what the plot of the movie is it is becoming extremely clear that i actually have seen this movie, but in an updated form. I have seen the film The Birdcage, which is the 90's remake of this early 80's film. I found that film to be hilarious. However, Carlson states that when he was first watching this film he was appalled and couldn't believe that Gay men were being viewed as some sort of comical diversion from what the film was really about. However, once he started taking the film for what it really was, he found the humor in it afterall.

Kels.