Abstract
Schools are heteronormative and gendernormative spaces that reinforce a narrow range of experiences and identities. Creating classroom spaces that empower LGBTQ+ identities is critical in supporting K-12 learners to become thoughtful and empathetic learners. LGBTQ+ students continue to experience bullying, stereotyping, discrimination, and marginalization. This chapter focuses on supporting pre-service teachers' understanding of how to queer classroom spaces through the integration of intersectional children's and YA literature that affirms LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. Bishop's framework of mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors is used with the addition of prisms. The prism provides a critical action to expand the notion and expectation of normal through intersectional representation.
TopBackground
Climate of Schools and Classrooms
K-12 schools remain unsafe and unwelcoming for LGBTQ+ students and families (Kosciw et al., 2020). Some progress has occurred. Twenty-one states have anti-bullying policies that prohibit students from being discriminated against due to sexual orientation or gender identity (Kosciw et al., 2020). In states where religious conservatism is deeply embedded, LGBTQ+ identities are less protected. Seven states have adopted anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. In these states, queer students are more likely to experience harassment or abuse, less likely to find accepting peers and supportive educators, and less likely to experience LGBTQ+ representation in curriculum. For nearly 20 years, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) data continues to emphasize the need for progress and change within school environments. In the past year, approximately 65% of LGBTQ+ students reported no representation or inclusion of LGBTQ+ concepts within their learning; only 16% of LGBTQ+ students were taught positive lessons involving queer history, people, or events; and 15% of LGBTQ+ students experienced negatively presented queer concepts within the classroom (Kosciw et al., 2020).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Queer/Queering: To queer, means to reimagine possibility while deconstructing heteronormative and cisgender “norms.” Queer is also used as a noun to describe underrepresented sexualities and genders broadly. Queer as a term is still regarded as a pejorative by some within the LGBTQ+ community.
Heteronormative: Contexts and environments that center White, cisgender, and straight as the “norm.”
Trans/Transgender: The term is used in this chapter as an umbrella terms to describe gender identity or expression that does not fit within the binaries of male and female.
LGBTQ+: Refers to those who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer. The plus is representative of fluid, non-conforming to defined identities. The plus is not reductionist but represents the expansive nature of sexuality and gender.
Intersectionality: Systemic structures that oppress or privilege particular identities (race, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, and sexuality) within society resulting in discrimination and marginalization.
Binary: A dualistic view of gender and sexuality with categories such as male or female or gay or straight. This perspective fails to recognize fluidity.
Cisgender: A person whose gender identity matches with the sex assigned at birth.