NRJ-API-LGBT 2007 Sonoma State University Conference

Network on Religion and Justice for
Asian Pacific Islander
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender People

Challenging Inequities Traveling a Path of Social Justice in Global Education Conference March 17, 2007 Rohnert Park, CA
	Bright and early on a Saturday morning, we headed up to Sonoma State University, where the National Assocaition for Multicultural Education was holding a conference about multiculturalism and social justice in education.
	There were about 60 people present at the conference.
	Twenty people, including Sonoma State Education Department students, teachers-in-training, 5th grade teachers, parochial school teachers, music teachers, Caucasians, Latino/as, and Asian American activists, came to our workshop!
	We screened the film and then talked about how the film addressed a social justice issue, the importance of having space to talk about sexuality in school and at church, storytelling as a way to address silence around sensitive issues, and video as a way for people to tell their own stories. Click here to see Michael's Powerpoint presentation.
	During the question and answer period, participants asked a number of interesting questions: How do I address the hostility that comes up when I bring up heated issues like LGBT sexuality and immigration in the classroom? How can I be sensitive to students, especially students of color, who have been raised to be silent about these issues and not talk about them publicly? We modeled our teaching method (pedagogy) by inviting participants to share their knowledge, experiences, and practices with each other.
	Participants were curious about resources on LGBTs and storytelling. A number of participants purchased the film and planned to start dialogues in their own classrooms and education circles. After the workshop, one participant commented, "Thank you for such a gentle and informative time! I cannot express my gratitude for the ingenious and compassionate manner through which you bring up such important issues! I've truly benefitted from this experience."