Schools as Queer Transformative Spaces: Global Narratives on Sexualities and Gender

Description

This book explores the narratives and experiences of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming students around the world. Much previous research has focused on homophobic/transphobic bullying and the negative consequences of expressing non-heterosexual and non-gender-conforming identities in school environments. To date, less attention has been paid to what may help LGBTQ+ students to experience school more positively, and relatively little has been done to compare research across the global contexts. This book addresses these research gaps by bringing together ongoing research from countries including Brazil, China, South Africa, the UK and many more. Each chapter examines results of empirical research into school experiences of LGBTQ+ students, and the experiences and perspectives of teachers and parents. All contributions are theoretically informed by aspects of queer theory and/or critical feminist theory, with additional insights from psychological, sociological and linguistic perspectives. Contributing chapters consider how educational workers may question socially sanctioned concepts of normality in relation to gender and sexuality in ways that benefit all students, and how they can 'queer' schools to make them less oppressive in terms of gender and sexuality. Expertly written and researched, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers, policymakers and students in the fields of education, sociology, gender studies and anyone with an interest in gender and sexuality studies. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents List of contributors Introduction: schools as queer transformative spaces Part I Educators and curriculum developers 1 Creating a queer counter-space in high schools in Iceland and South Africa: a drama-inspired pedagogical approach 2 Creating queer moments at a Brazilian school by forging innovative sociolinguistic scalar perspectives in classrooms 3 Rebel becomings: queer(y)ing school spaces with young people 4 Teaching gender: narrative inquiries into teachers’ practical knowledge for gender equality and social justice 5 Sexual diversity at the early childhood education level: what can we learn from sexology? Part II Queer youth and school experiences 6 Victimisation experiences in school and perceived teacher support of same-sex-attracted high school students 7 Challenging gender- and sexuality-based discrimination in UK schools: young women’s experiences of illegitimation and resistance 8 Homophobic violence against LGBTQ+ youth in a Chilean school 9 Gender, culture and sexuality: young people’s conceptualisations of ‘queer’ in South Africa 10 Gay teenage boys’ experiences and usages of the media in Spain: educational implications Part III Parents 11 Parent perceptions of GSD-related content inclusions in school education: voices from Australia Conclusion: transformative possibilities Index