Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development - Alexandria City ...

Sexual Orientation Lesson Plan ****DRAFT****
1. State ground rules:
� You can express opinions, feelings, and values; however, deliberate cruelty and insults will not
be tolerated.
� Proper terminology will be taught and then must be used. Discriminatory, insulting, or
prejudicial terms will not be tolerated.
2. Definitions:
Sexual
Orientation: Enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectionate attraction
to individuals of a particular gender
Heterosexual: Attraction to individuals of the opposite gender from one’s own
(Hetero = different) (“Straight”)
Homosexual: Attraction to individuals of the same gender as one’s own
(Homo = same) (Gay, Lesbian)
Bisexual: Attraction to members of either gender
(Bi = two)
Homophobia: Fear, dislike, discrimination against persons of homosexual
orientation
Transsexual: Person who has had a medical sex change, male to female or
female to male
Transvestite: Person who dresses in the clothes of the opposite gender for
sexual pleasure (may be of any sexual orientation)
Transgender: When a person is born with ambiguous genitalia, formerly called
“Hermaphrodite” from god Hermes and goddess Aphrodite
3. Read ten true/false statements. Students are to keep their answers private; this is a test of their
knowledge. (NOTE: ALL OF THE STATEMENTS ARE FALSE. THESE ARE 10 MYTHS
COMMONLY BELIEVED ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY.) Discuss.
1. Anyone who has same-sex fantasies as a child or plays like or dresses like
the other sex (“tomboy; sissy”) will grow up to be homosexual.
2. You can tell a person’s sexual orientation by the way he or she talks, walks, dresses and by their
occupation.
3. Homosexual orientation is a medical disorder according to the AMA (American Medical
Association).
4. One homosexual experience can “turn” a person permanently gay.
5. Most homosexuals are child molesters.
6. All societies throughout history have considered homosexuality evil.
7. Homosexual men want to be women; lesbians want to be men.
8. A person can be cured of homosexual orientation by counseling.
9. Homosexuals attempt to recruit others.
10. Scientific research has shown that homosexual orientation is a choice.
4. Show video “What if I’m Gay?”
Adolescence Unit 22