How you would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child?

     I think that it is significant that parents do not fail to recall that their children’s education and exposure to culture is enfolded around the perception of diversity. Diversity has a broad definition, and it is not limited to one specific thing. Therefore, if a parent approached me and expressed a concern because they did not want their child to be cared for or around an individual based on their sexual preference, I would acknowledge the parents concern. I would also reaffirm that every member of our staff had to complete a background check and discrimination limits our ability to be fair. I would also inform the parent that it is not my duty to monitor a person’s personal preferences, yet I am obligated to make sure that their interactions with children are appropriate. Every child deserves the right to gain knowledge and develop in the best possible way and we must sometime set our personal biases aside in order for them to reach their fullest developmental levels with the appropriate protocols and best possible staffing selections in place.

Your response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families:

     Society is very diverse and I believe that it is imperative for early childhood environments to incorporate the use of books that depict gay or lesbian individuals for example, same-sex partnered families. I think that it is imperative because it provides support for children that do not live in a traditional home and allows them to experience literature that includes images that are similar to their home life. Living in a diverse world exposes children at an early age to the many differences that compile our society. If early childcare facilities assume that it is appropriate to exclude literature depicting gay or lesbian individuals, they are doing themselves and the children they service a disservice. A childcare facility should always be open minded, so that children are aware of the differences around them. It is important that early childhood practitioners incorporate different vantage points for children in the learning environment that would improve their ability to view society in a vivid manner instead of a view through foggy lenses.