I really enjoyed reading this book. Of all of the multicultural issues we have discussed in class, GLBTQ is the least tolerable (in my opinion). Therefore, I feel BOY MEETS BOY is a much needed book to present the inequality of gays and lesbian in our current society. In the book, the setting takes place in a society where being gay and lesbian is accepted; it is in this society where gays and lesbians can be their true selves. While this book is unrealistic, not all multicultural books have to be 100% realistic in order to be effective. Our society is no where near to the point where being gay is not such a shock factor; therefore, these books help students see how life would be different if people didn't categorize being gay or lesbian as 'immoral' and just let them live their lives the way others let straight people live theirs. While it would be prevalent to present a more realistic book to illustrate the reality of the intolerance of homosexuality, it is important to present students with how the world would be like if people weren't so stubborn and allowed people to be open and true to themselves.
Growing up a Catholic, there was a time at the beginning of high school where I was a 'homophobic.' My church made it seem like it was a disease and that those who were gay were going right to hell. My sophomore year of high school, one of my sister's close friends came out. He was aware of my uncertainty to gays and lesbians and therefore wanted to tell me in person so we could discuss it. It was probably the most amazing talk because it was at that time that I stopped categorizing gays and lesbians as sinners and started classifying them as men and women who want to live their life just like I want to live mine. Throughout the years, I have become more open minded and less opinionated regarding topics that don't have anything to do with me. My new philosophy in life is, "Live your life, I'll live mine." I really think this book presents being gay and lesbian in that way; you are you and I am me and that's okay.
I have read books where there are gay characters but not main characters. I felt the book presented gay and lesbian relationships in a way where students will be able to see that gay and lesbians fall in love just like straight people do. While there were certain things in the book that I did not particularly like (when he realized he was gay in kindergarten because his teacher told him so), I felt this book is needed for students to see what life would be like if people stopped categorizing gay and lesbian people as 'immoral' or 'wrong' and let them live their lives they way they let us live ours.
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I have many of the same reactions to you about Boy Meets Boy. Being raised a devout Catholic, the church teaches that homosexuality is wrong and I, like you, simply accepted what the church said and was probably considered to be homophobic for some period of time. Once I got to college and was meeting many new people and was particularly introduced to gays, my feelings toward this issued changed. I think part of this change was also due to the fact that I now attend a much more welcoming church (still Catholic!) that accepts and supports those in the LBGTQ community. I now realize how important it is to support those in the LBGTQ community as they are just like any other human being. While their sexual orientation may be differnt than mine, this does not mean that there is something wrong with them. I think that if more places, particularly churches and other authorities with great power, would be more willing to listen and accept ideas other than what they are used to then it would open up much more understanding. I think that it is our job to help represent those who feel that they are discriminated against and stand up against them.
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