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A Case Study of Institutional Heteronormativity in Higher Education Institutions

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The Interruption of Heteronormativity in Higher Education

Part of the book series: Queer Studies and Education ((QSTED))

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Abstract

This chapter gives an account of the context for the development of the student cohort’s culture in relation to heteronormativity. It explores how the student experience of the wider institution, and its heteronormativity, only comes to the fore through particular incidents and exchanges. An account will be given of instances where students experienced feelings of uncomfortableness echoing Orne’s (Sociological Quarterly, 54(2), 229–253, 2013) typology of middle reactions between acceptance and hostility. Students had learned that they had to ‘perform’ acceptance and challenge heteronormativity in more regulated spaces. Less regulated spaces such as toilets were places of heterosexual retreat. Some women feeling these spaces were legitimate places of retreat from a masculine hegemony, juxtaposed with transgender people’s experiences of these women’s spaces where they were not always accepted as women.

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  1. Newman University, Birmingham, UK

    Michael Seal

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  1. Michael Seal
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Correspondence to Michael Seal .

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Seal, M. (2019). A Case Study of Institutional Heteronormativity in Higher Education Institutions. In: The Interruption of Heteronormativity in Higher Education. Queer Studies and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19089-7_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19089-7_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19088-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19089-7

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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