The Power of Thoughts and Actions: Examining the School-to-Death Pipeline Murder of Larry King

• In Event: 41.083 - Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: 41.083-22 - LGBTQ+ Lives: Beyond Safety and Inclusion

Abstract

Through Critical Trans Politics and DisCrit theoretical frameworks, this paper analyzes the murder of Larry King and argues Larry was denied educational and life opportunities when Larry’s teachers, classmates, and overall school viewed and treated Larry as a simultaneously racialized, gendered, queered, and disabled subject. This paper aims to expose the discourses about Larry as practices which seek to eliminate the education and life chances of transgender, queer, disabled, and communities of color. I argue access to equity and life is not available for all when marginalized students experience the school-to-death pipeline when allowed to die within and outside education systems. This paper urges educational researchers and practitioners to alleviate the barriers marginalized students encounter in education and society.

Author

• Paulina Abustan, Washington State University