What would you do to educate a foreign visitor?

[cally]

We had an exchange student 5 years ago and she's here for a visit. She's now 21 and doesn't know all that has happened in our family in the intervening years. I've noticed her confusion about openly gay/lesbian folks in our lives. So far, I've just made it casual but I know in Russia that being gay and lesbian is very much forbidden. So what do you think I should teach in the week or so of this visit? I've discussed the various relationships of people in our life but I'm wondering if I should take a more proactive teaching role.

[dsc]

1. How long is she staying?

If she is here for a long time then just let things come naturally. If he is going back quickly then tell her what you wish her to know.

[cally]

2. She's here for another week

[and-justice-for-all]

3. If you show her a grand time in the Gay community..

...And that its nothing like the evils that overly religious folks make it out to be. Just have fun and help her to relax with it, as long as she is confortable she will get something positive out of it...You might even talk about the atrocities that has happened to Gay men and women and who is responsible for those atrocities, the kind of homophobic idiots that commit them.

[mitchtv]

4. A well chosen movie might be a good idea

Brokeback, for example, but there are a lot of good ones around

[davidinalameda]

5. I'd avoid San Fran this weekend

Folsom Street Fair

that would be a bit too much of an education for her

:rofl:

[readmoreoften]

6. There are tons of Russian gays and lesbians although there is repression

in many parts (just like there is repression in many parts around here.)

I have many Russian immigrant pals in the lesbian community in NY. GLBT existence isn't a cultural phenomenon-- we exist everywhere. Take her anywhere you'd take anyone else and make her deal with her anti-gay attitudes (if she has any). She'll probably be singing with the drag queens on stage by the end of the night. Don't shield her from reality. Especially nice, harmless realities :)