Year 8 at the Prof. Kohnstammschool in Utrecht receives a special lesson about relationships, sexuality and butterflies in your stomach as part of the Week of the Spring Fever. The lesson focuses on sexual diversity and is not taught by their regular teacher Suzanne, but by guest teacher and COC expert by experience Florien.
After an introductory round in which Florien explains that she is attracted to both men and women and is married to a woman, the pupils watch the film ‘Uitgesproken’. It portrays a group of young people and their prejudices surrounding homosexuality. What happens if your best friend turns out to be gay and some of your friends react rather negatively or even aggressively? Do you abandon your friend or maintain the friendship? The class unanimously agrees that they would want to remain friends, although some pupils would find it strange if their friend fell in love with them.
Florien tells the class her story, and they are allowed to ask lots of questions. She first fell in love with a boy and later with a girl. This initially led to a lot of confusion and unrest, until she and those close to her accepted it. “I told my parents over the phone that I was bisexual. My mother immediately called the rest of the family, including my grandparents, and everyone thought it was fantastic. I really felt as if they were throwing a party for me, and I loved it!”
The children talk together about what it would be like to have two fathers or two mothers, whether they would want this themselves, whether you are born LGBTQI+ or have a choice, and what they would do if someone fell in love with them.
It produces some wonderful responses:
- “If I’m not gay myself, I’d prefer it if a girl were in love with me.”
- “I don’t mind, but I would be afraid of hurting someone’s feelings if I didn’t feel the same way about him or her.”
- “I’d prefer it if someone were in love with you who you could actually have a relationship with too!”
- “If someone is in love with you, that is actually always a compliment!”
What makes this a good example?
- Attention to sexual and gender diversity
- A guest lesson encourages empathy and respect
- Good preparation for puberty: afterwards, pupils are less open-minded.
Tips for getting started:
- Sign up for the next Week van de Lentekriebels
- Take part in Paarse Vrijdag
- Set up a GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)
- Contact COC Nederland.