The Role of Space in (Re)producing Heterosexism/Heteronormativity in Icelandic Upper Secondary Schools

• In Event: (Re)producing and Dismantling Heteronormative Spaces in Schools

Abstract

Research on space and its relation to sexuality have mainly been conducted during the last two decades within cultural/critical geography. All these studies have demonstrated that space is both sexed or sexualized and actively produced by the dominant discourse, which is heteronormative. In the paper we will build on this theoretical perspective about space and its contribution to the process of heterosexualization. We will discuss the results of a study on the role of space, both objective and subjective in an Icelandic upper secondary school, when it comes to heterosexism and the well being of queer students. The results of the study indicate that space plays a significant role in discursivly (re)producing heterosexism in upper secondary schools under investigation.

Authors

• Jon Ingvar Kjaran, University of Iceland

• Ingolfur Asgeir Johannesson, University of Iceland