Hello! I think this is my first post under Sex, Culture, and Politics. Not sure if it quite fits here, but it seemed the closest. Heads up that this story has some pretty intense homophobia in it.
For some background: I'm a summer camp counselor in a swing state/district, but the kids tend to come from wealthy, conservative families. The kids are anywhere from 6-12, but this group was mostly 7 and 8. I--a definitely not straight or cis? person--am not out. A few of the kids had been making mildly misogynistic comments, one of whom was a girl from a very religious background.
Today was our last day, and at the end of class a few kids were talking during the movie. This is the conversation that went down.
Boy: I'm only friends with boys.
Girl: Are you gay? Or just friends.
Boy: Just friends.
Another kid: What's gay?
Girl: It's boys kissing boys and girls kissing girls.
Most kids made "yuck" noises or faces
Me: That's okay! There's nothing wrong with being gay.
Girl: Well, it's against the Bible. I'd rather die than be gay.
I was so shocked that I didn't know what to do or say, and I really wasn't sure what I could legally say as a teacher. I have a different group of kids next week, so that was the last time I interacted with that group. Anyone have any advice for what I should do in the future?