Secondary Educator LGBTQ Allyship: Professional Development, Challenges, and Supportive Practices

• In Event: Queering Learning and Teaching for/With Youth

Abstract

LGBTQ students are among the most vulnerable and discriminated populations in American public schools. While teachers are responsible for creating and sustaining a welcoming environment for all students, they consistently fail to provide adequate support for LGBTQ students. The purpose of this research is to explore high school educator ally experiences, to cultivate an awareness about heterosexism within school climates, and to document approaches and strategies to disrupt heteronormative bias in classrooms. Participants discussed obstacles that disrupted their ability to act as LGBTQ allies while problematizing their experiences with professional development. Finally, ally educators shared anti-oppressive LGBTQ inclusive practices and pedagogies.

Author

• Eric R. Junco, Northern Illinois University