A Step Forward

Dear Diary,

We had another great cultural diversity class last week. We covered LGBT culture and had a group called SAY Outloud come to visit our class. They shared with us ways that we as youth workers can enter into the field armed with information that will allow us to be more compassionate when aiding a youth within the queer community. It was such an energetic presentation, and we even got to meet two youth from the group who generously shared their experience with us. It is something I will never forget and will treasure.

After the presentation I found myself looking back at the content from a couple weeks back about power and privilege. I think we often take for granted that something like sexual orientation isn’t really black or white. Sexuality is a spectrum, and with that comes the room for sexual minority. Many of the youth we will be working with in the field will be opened up to this inequality. In many ways the whims of the minority will be subject to the majority. That’s a lot of power to give one group based completely on their sexual orientation. As a youth worker I’m going to have to give much thought on how to advocate on behalf of an LGBT youth or child to provide a little more balance on this unfair teeter-totter.

Since I always try to find a way to connect the learning to my own

culture I sat down this week and thought about how video game culture has been impacted by human rights and LGBT culture. And while I think they have come a long way I definitely think there is room to grow. One thing in recent years that has impressed me was that in some role playing style of video games you could never choose a love interest that was the same gender as you. Now more and more game companies are choosing to allow players more freedom of choice, which allows them to play more authentically and grow more connected to the games story. It’s a small feature but it’s a small feature with an inclusive element that I feel is a great step forward.