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GLBTQ
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning

Exercise 4

Creating Safe Schools for Lesbian and Gay Students
Orientation Timeline
by Youth Pride, Inc

Concepts:
1.
Orientation is established by age 4 or 5.
2. Orientation is realized during puberty.
3.
People self-identify as lesbian, gay, straight or bisexual at many different ages.
This timeline activity is to help students understand concepts of the development of sexual orientation. Student responses should be kept confidential. The purpose of this activity is to think about how and when sexual orientation develops. Sexual orientation is something that is NOT CHOSEN. Homosexuality, however, is often viewed as chosen and something that can be changed. Review the concepts for this activity and explain that lesbian and gay people struggle with "coming out" to friends and family. Cultural and societal factors may cause lesbian and gay people to self-identify at a much older age. This activity encourages discussion about when sexuality is formed. Explain to students that heterosexuality is assumed until expressed otherwise.
1. Have students draw a timeline.
2.
Have them write their date of birth at the beginning of the timeline.
3.
Next, have them write their present age at the end of the timeline.
4.
Have them draw a circle around the age when they think sexual orientation is established.
5.
Have them draw a star around the age when people have a first crush or first love (attraction).
6.
Next, have them underline the age when people know or realize they are gay, lesbian, straight or bisexual.
7.
Finally, have students draw a cloud around the age when people tell others about their orientation (self-identify).
A special thanks to Denise Johnson, Barrington High School, for providing this exercise.