Skip to main content

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

Abstract

The concept overseeing this proposed chapter is coming out. For decades, the coming out of gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) teachers has been seen as the disclosure of undue personal information or as the necessary step through which creating school environments that are inclusive of sexual diversity. Through qualitative and quantitative data collected with Québec (Canada) high school teachers, this chapter proposes a reflection on the coming out imperative that continues to affect not only GLB teachers but also heterosexual ones. The hypothesis set out is that the coming out of teachers remains central to understanding the apprehensions and fears, but also the general pedagogical practices teachers undertake regarding sexual diversity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allen, L. (2011). “Undoing” the self: Should heterosexual teachers “come out” in the university classroom? Pedagogy Culture & Society, 19(1), 79–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allport, G. W. (1954). The nature of prejudice. Cambridge, MA: Perseus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, A., & DePalma, R. (2006, September). Permission to talk about it: LGB and straight teachers’ narratives of sexual equality. British Educational Research Association Conference, Warwick.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, M. (1996). Coming out in the classroom: A return to the hard place. College English, 59, 693–708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, P. (1992). From hiding out to coming out: Empowering lesbian and gay educators. Journal of Homosexuality, 22(3–4), 167–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harbeck, K. M. (1992). Coming out of the classroom closet: Gay and lesbian students, teachers and curricula. New York: Harrington Park Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, S. (2007). Coming out and disclosures. LGBT persons across the life span. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khayatt, D. M. (1999). Sex and pedagogy: Performing sexualities in the classroom. Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies, 5(1), 107–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peel, E. (2001). Mundane heterosexism: Understanding incidents of the everyday. Women’s Studies International Forum, 24(5), 541–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, M. L. (2004). The problem of coming out. Theory Into Practice, 43(2), 144–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richard, G. (2013). Politiques pédagogiques identitaires: Réflexions sur le modèle du professeur minoritaire pour les élèves de minorités sexuelles. Chantiers de l’intervention en sciences humaines, 3, n/a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russ, T., Simonds, C., & Hunt, S. (2002). Coming out in the classroom…An occupational hazard? The influence of sexual orientation on teacher credibility and perceived student learning. Communication Education, 51(3), 311–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sears, J. T., & Williams, W. (1997). Overcoming heterosexism and homophobia: Strategies that work. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedgwick, E. K. (1990). Epistemology of the closet. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Telford, D. (2003). Post-compulsory heterosexuality: Silences and tensions in curricula and pedagogy at university. In D. Epstein, S. O’Flynn, & D. Telford (Eds.), Silenced sexualities in schools and universities (pp. 101–120). Stoke on Trent/Staffordshire: Trentham Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toomey, R. S., McGuire, J. K., & Russell, S. T. (2012). Heteronormativity, school climates, and perceived safety for gender nonconforming peers. Journal of Adolescence, 35, 187–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2012). Education sector responses to homophobic bullying. Good policy and practice in HIV and health education. Booklet 8. Paris: UNESCO, 59 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Richard, G. (2016). Coming Out. In: Rodriguez, N., Martino, W., Ingrey, J., Brockenbrough, E. (eds) Critical Concepts in Queer Studies and Education. Queer Studies and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55425-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55425-3_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-55424-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-55425-3

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics