Delineating Alliance: Exploring LGBTQ Allyship in Secondary Education

• In Event: 66.061 - Intersectional Examinations of Race, Class, and Gender Structured Poster Session

Abstract

We examined secondary teachers’ perspectives of allyship towards members of LGBTQ communities. In order to accomplish this, we interviewed seven high school teachers about manifestations of allyship in education and individual postures towards members of LGBTQ communities. We applied a constructivist theoretical lens throughout the research process. According to Gaffney (2016), while most educators care about the wellbeing of students facing marginalization, oppression, and bullying, caring is not enough. Through this research, we identified several ways in which LGBTQ allyship can be leveraged into the promotion of a safer and more inclusive school environment for LGBTQ students.

Authors

• Bretton A. Varga, University of South Florida - Tampa

• Leia K. Cain, University of South Florida

• Gary Westberry, University of South Florida - Tampa