Strategies to Strengthen Our Anti-Bias Practices

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In recent months, I have been interviewing directors around the country seeking stories about successfully negotiating confict to include in an upcoming book for directors. To my surprise, nine times out of ten I was told a story about conflicts that erupted when something about gay and lesbian people came up in their program. The stories varied in how they unfolded - sometimes they were about a staff member, a child and family in the program, or a book or curriculum activity - but in each case, fierce emotions and tensions were unleashed. The directors involved impressed me with their courage, tenacity, and clear thinking.

"How can I claim to have an anti-bias program if I don't take up this issue?" one director remarked. Another said, "All these biases are interrelated and based on fear. My own fears about having to deal with the homosexual questions initially made ...