Establishing Queer Foundations: Engaging Drag Pedagogy While Teaching LGBTQ+ History

• In Event: Sashay, You Stay: Uplifting Drag Pedagogies in the Era of Drag Bans

Abstract

This paper explores engagements with drag pedagogy in the context of a hybrid professional development (PD) series focused on teaching LGBTQ+ history in K-12 classrooms. Facilitated by faculty and attended by preservice teachers (PSTs), the PD series combined online learning and a 3-day workshop that introduced queer theory and drag pedagogy. Participants reflected on their own understandings of LGBTQ+ identities and developed lesson plans using primary sources on queer history. The paper includesnarrative essays and artistic expressions from facilitators and PSTs, documenting their experiences and the potential of drag pedagogy in shaping inclusive, justice-focused teaching. It underscores the power of collaborative writing to foster collective reflection and support LGBTQ+ students in educational spaces.

Author

• Andrea M. Hawkman, Rowan University