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No More Penguins, Please.: If parents such as Mrs. Wirthlin want to continue that status quo, where gay people don’t exist and her children’s classmates sit in emotional torment because society won’t recognize their family or their affections–all because of her own moral indignation–then she is free to do so. But, the political tides are turning, and society is beginning to realize that the harm to a queer kid from being relegated to invisibility far outweighs the harm to a straight kid whose sexuality is a relative non-issue in his life.

When we read books like King and King, we’re not just talking to Mrs. Wirthlin’s kid. We’re talking to the queer kid, or the kid with lesbian moms. We want that kid to know he’s ok. Not through winks and nods and gay penguins–we want to say it outright. You’re ok. Be happy.

(Via University of Michigan Outlaws.)

Although I didn’t read Jane Eyre, I did find a lot in this article that struck home. It’s worth a read.