Queer Youth in Sexuality Education: Orientations, Affects, and Relationships

• In Event: Social Justice, Diversity, and Activist Approaches in Physical Education

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore queer youth experiences in sexuality education in New Zealand. Background: Sexuality education has primarily served to reduce sexual risks amongst heterosexual students. As such, queer students may experience sexuality education differently. Theory: I draw on queer, feminist materialist theory and specifically the concepts of orientation, affect, and assemblage. Methods: This paper reports on one aspect of a 5-month critical ethnography. In so doing, I examined queer youth experiences at the intersection of health, physical activity, and education. Conclusions: Sexuality education currently holds a ‘straight’ orientation that often has negative affects on queer youth. In so doing, relationships between sexuality (and physical) educators must be examined to improve sexuality education.

Author

• Dillon Landi, University of Strathclyde