Abstract
Structural changes have occurred at a rapid rate in the U.S. concerning LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and ally/asexual) rights and lived experiences. However, in K-12 education LGBTQIA+ students continue to face challenges and obstacles not faced by their heterosexual, cisgender peers. Using heteronormativity as its underpinning, this chapter will highlight some of the challenges encountered by LGBTQIA+ students, provide a background to understand the current state of educational practices and policies, and provide recommendations for teachers, administrators, students, and communities to help reduce the trauma endured by many LGBTQIA+ students.
TopBackground
Well I didn't have much choice. That was a clinical placement. I was [the consultant's] first student. Basically the first year I was there, more or less all I ever did was shove electricity down homosexual patients. — Clinical psychologist (King, 2004)
Despite legislative and juridical advancements concerning LGBTQIA+ rights, including, the right to marry (Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644, 2015), serve in the military (The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010), and the prohibition of employment termination based on one’s LGBT identity (Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S, 2020), LGBTQIA+ students still face uncertainty in their safety while at school (Kosciw et al., 2020). A historical rendering is important to understand the continuation of trauma for LGBTQIA+ students.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Heterosexism: Supported by heteronormative ideologies, heterosexism are the societal practices/activities (ex. law, policies, etc.) that marginalize non-heterosexual people.
Deficit View: A view that an individual or group of people are deficient in accordance to social norms/expectations.
Heteronormative: The ideologies in a society that normalize heterosexuality and marginalize “other” non-heterosexual identities/practices.
Strength-Based View: A view that each individual and group brings unique talents and benefits to the larger society regardless of their social location.
Homophobia: The individual fear of individuals that identify as LGBTQIA+.
Cisgender: A person’s biology/sexual organs align with one’s gender identity (ex. A woman born as a biological female and identifies as a woman). Cisgender stands in contrast to transgender.
Social Structures: Institutions whose practices materialize the dominant discourses and ideologies throughout a society.