To say that the descriptions below, of workshops and presentations
of this state-sponsored event for educators and children,
are "every parent's nightmare" does not do them
justice. It is beyond belief that this could be happening
at all. One music teacher who attended out of curiosity
said that she could not sleep for several nights afterwards
and had nightmares about it.
Queer sex for youth 14 - 21
In one well-attended workshop, "What They Didn't Tell
You About Queer Sex & Sexuality In Health Class: A Workshop
For Youth Only, Ages 14-21," the three homosexual presenters
acting in their professional capacities coaxed about 20
children into talking openly and graphically about homosexual
sex. The purpose appeared to be to train adults who are
running the student clubs. The three presenters, who described
themselves as homosexual, were:
. Margot E. Ables, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Program, Massachusetts
Dept. of Education . Julie Netherland, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS
Program, Massachusetts Dept. of Education
. Michael Gaucher, Consultant, HIV/AIDS Program, Massachusetts
Dept. of Public Health
The workshop syllabus included:
"What's it like to be young, queer and beginning to
date? Are lesbians at risk for HIV?.We will address the
information you want about queer sexuality and some of the
politics that prevent us from getting our needs met."
The workshop opened by the three public employees asking
the children "how they knew, as gay people, whether
or not they've had sex." Questions were thrown around
the room about whether oral sex was "sex," to
which the Department of Public Health employee stated, "If
that's not sex, then the number of times I've had sex has
dramatically decreased; from a mountain to a valley, baby."
Eventually the answer presented itself, and it was determined
that whenever an orifice was filled with genitalia, then
sex had occurred. The Department of Public Health employee,
Michael Gaucher, had the following exchange with one student,
who appeared to be about 16 years old:
Michael Gaucher: "What orifices are we talking about?"
Student: [hesitation]
Michael Gaucher: "Don't be shy, honey; you can do
it."
Student: "Your mouth."
Michael Gaucher: "Okay."
Student: "Your ass."
Michael Gaucher: "There you go."
Student: "Your pussy. That kind of place."
But since sex occurred "when an orifice was filled,"
the next question was how lesbians could "have sex."
Margot Abels discussed whether a dildo had to be involved;
when it was too big or too small; and what homosexual resources
students could consult to get similar questions answered.
Role playing and "carpet munching"
Then the children were asked to role-play. One student
was to act the part of "a young lesbian who's really
enraptured with another woman, and it's really coming down
to the wire and you're thinking about having sex."
The other student played the "hip GSA (gay, straight
alliance) lesbian advisor, who you feel you can talk to."
The "counseling" included discussions of lesbian
sex, oral-vaginal contact, or "carpet munching,"
as one student put it. The student asked whether it would
smell like fish. At that point the session turned to another
subject.
"A lesson in fisting?"
There was a five minute pause so that all of the teenagers
could write down questions for the homosexual presenters.
The first question was read by Julie Netherland, "What's
fisting?"
A student answered this question by informing the class
that "fisting" is when you put your "whole
hand into the ass or pussy" of another. When a few
of the students winced, the Department of Public Health
employee offered, "A little known fact about fisting,
you don't make a fist, like this. It's like this,"
forming his hand into the shape of a tear drop rather than
a balled fist. He informed the children that it was much
easier.
Margot Abels told the students that "fisting"
is not about forcing your hand into somebody's "hole,
opening or orifice" if they don't want it there. She
said that "usually" the person was very relaxed
and opened him or herself up to the other. She informed
the class that it is a very emotional and intense experience.
At this point, a child of about 16 asked why someone would
want to do that. He stated that if the hand were pulled
out quickly, the whole thing didn't sound very appealing
to him. Margot Abels was sure to point out that although
fisting "often gets a really bad rap," it usually
isn't about the pain, "not that we're putting that
down." Margot Abels informed him and the class that
"fisting" was "an experience of letting somebody
into your body that you want to be that close and intimate
with." When a child asked the question, "Why would
someone do this?" Margot Abels provided a comfortable
response to the children in order to "put them into
an exploratory mode."
"Rubbing each others' clits."
Michael Gaucher presented the next question, "Do lesbians
rub their clits together?"
Michael Gaucher and Margot Abels asked the kids if they
thought it was possible and whether someone would do a "hand-diagram"
for the class. No one volunteered, but a girl who looked
about 15 or 16 then stepped up to the board and drew a three
foot high vagina and labeled each of the labia, the clitoris,
and "put up inside the 'G'-spot." While drawing,
Michael Gaucher told her to use the "pink" chalk,
to which Margot Abels responded, "not everyone is pink,
honey." All of the children laughed.
After the chalk vagina was complete, the children remarked
on the size of the "clit," and the presenters
stated that that was a gifted woman. Then Margot Abels informed
all of the young girls that indeed, you can rub your "clitori"
together, either with or without clothes, and "you
can definitely orgasm from it." Michael Gaucher told
the kids that "there is a name for this: tribadism,"
which he wrote on the board and told one girl who looked
about 14 to "bring that vocabulary word back to Bedford."
Julie Netherland informed the children that it wasn't too
difficult because "when you are sexually aroused, your
clit gets bigger."