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Training Secondary Teachers to Support LGBTQ+ Students: Practical Applications from Theory and Research
- The High School Journal
- The University of North Carolina Press
- Volume 101, Number 1, Fall 2017
- pp. 62-72
- 10.1353/hsj.2017.0016
- Article
- Additional Information
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In this essay, the author describes theory-informed methods for training Secondary teachers and administrators to support students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and otherwise outside of heterosexual and cisgender identities (LGBTQ+). Rather than focus on anti-bullying initiatives, the ideas presented here are intended to educate participants on recognizing systemic oppressions of heteronormativity and sexism and view LGBTQ+ people from a positive perspective. Three activities are described so that readers can conduct their own trainings: a heteronormativity scavenger hunt, a gender spectrum activity, and viewing LGBTQ+ people using a queer cultural capital lens. This essay combines ideas from social theories, education research, and the author’s own experiences training pre- and in-service educators on queer issues.