Challenges and Social Stigma of Male Gay and Transgender Foreign Teachers: A Qualitative Study

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division K - Section 03: Teachers’ Lives, Identities, and Journeys Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This study investigates the experiences of gay and transgender foreign teachers in Korean educational institutions, understanding the challenges of social stigma and discrimination based on foreign status and sexual orientation. Based on social stigma theory, the study employed a qualitative design with 12 participants via inductive survey, interviews, and remarkable item sharing. The findings indicated that (1) workplace and social bullying and (2) being forced to follow Korean conformity were the two main themes. The study contributes to the understanding of social stigma and discrimination in East Asian educational contexts and indicates the need for reforms and anti-discrimination development for sexually minoritized foreign teachers in Korea

Authors

• Luis Miguel Dos Santos, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong

• Litong QI, Hong Kong Shue Yan University

• Hongyan Wang, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Ying Li, Binghamton University - SUNY