Queer Disclosure & Trauma-Informed Teaching for Queer Students

• In Event: Teaching Queer Victimology

Abstract

In addition to focusing on the inclusion of queer victimization-related content, it's also important to address the presence of queer people in the classroom space, including both queer students and queer instructors. As we’ve learned from media studies, queer inclusion is not always done for the benefit of queer communities, but rather for the general public. Sometimes this inclusion is positive for educational benefits, but other times the trauma and pain of queer communities is portrayed for entertainment value with only negative harmful stories told with no focus on queer joy or possibilities. While classroom spaces differ from media, it is essential to create safe trauma-informed classrooms for all our students, which often means paying attention to vulnerable groups. Using trauma-informed care principles, this presentation will include how to create a safe classroom for queer students, with particular attention to teaching queer victimization topics. Attention to the role of queer instructors and the act of disclosure will also be addressed.

Author

• Kathleen Ratajczak, Sam Houston State University