It’s just wrong-headed.
Indeed, live and let live. The current furor about whether, and how, to teach young children about gender orientation, in an effort to combat bullying is just mistaken. It makes sense though, given how schools and traditional educators think about “education” and teaching.
The issue here is not what should be taught but HOW we go about introducing concepts and changing behaviors. It will never make sense to sit a group of students down and talk about gender orientation being “open to all possibilities” as a way to eliminate bullying of gays. What does make sense is to create a culture of respect for people, for individuals. Then you don’t need a curriculum for teaching about gender equality, racial equality, sexual orientation and whatever else may come along. You simply promote rationality, respect and empathy. Sit students down and talk about these and all problems will either be minimal or disappear. Plus, you’re then indirectly teaching them about “thinking in principles”, which is hugely valuable.
As I’ve said many times in this space, you can’t “teach” things. Our whole understanding of how people learn has to change. This is the fundamental point. You won’t change people by TELLING them what to think or how to behave. People learn by doing, by feeling, by experiencing. Talk about not making fun of others, period; then you’ll have a principle they can relate to because we all have something about us that others can make fun of if they choose. This will then speak to your “bullying” curriculum, your “peace” curriculum, and all the others that touch on what it means to simple respect other human beings.