Hiding Behind Male Christian Whiteness: Christian Nationalism, Teacher Preparation, and LGBTQ+ Identities

• In Event: Gay Male Teachers in the South and Beyond

Abstract

Recently, I conducted a research study with gay male teachers in a southern state. During the interviews, it became obvious that teachers were afraid of the current political tensions in their state and across the country. It also became apparent that teacher preparation programs did not prepare the teachers to address the challenges surrounding LGTBQ+ identities in their schools. In this presentation, I will briefly define Christian nationalism and discuss Christian nationalism’s emergence into the national discourse and its role as a power regime. Afterward, I will offer my postulations concerning educator preparation programs’ response to Christian nationalism, as it relates to preparing candidates to create affirming educational spaces for LGTBQ+ identities.

Author

• Joseph R Jones, Gordon State College