AN ASSEMBLY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH

LGBT Pedagogy & Parenting

This short bibliography lists books which may be of interest to LGBT educators, educators working with LGBT youth, and parents of LGBT students.

Baker, Jean M. How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home, at School, and in the Community. (2001)

Making her argument from the psychological perspective of the children involved, the author breaks down the myths surrounding homosexuality that still pervade many schools and school playgrounds.

Brandt, Eric. Dangerous Liaisons: Blacks, Gays, and the Struggle for Equality. (1999)

In 17 new and classic essays, historians, political analysts and artists assess why blacks and gays have such a volatile relationship, despite their shared experiences of discrimination in education and on the job, of police harassment and the devastating impact of AIDS.

Cart, Michael and Christine A. Jenkins. The Heart Has Its Reasons: Young Adult Literature With Gay/Lesbian/Queer Content, 1969 – 2004. (2006)

Both a comprehensive overview and a lively, detailed discussion of individual landmark books, this highly readable title in the Scarecrow Studies in Young Adult Literature series discusses 35 years of YA books with LGBTQ content. The authors note the long invisibility of LGBTQ themes in YA fiction and then chart the great breakthrough titles as well as the range from simplistic "problem" scenarios to gays as complex protagonists and part of the gay community.

Fairfield, Betty. Now That You Know: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding Their Gay and Lesbian Children. (1998)

If the coming out process is difficult for gay people, it is often equally difficult for their parents. This book charts the rough seas that many parents travel.

Jennings, Kevin, ed. One Teacher in 10. (1994)

This collection of essays by LGBT educators from the early 1990’s highlights both struggles and victories.

Jennings, Kevin and Pat Shapiro. Always My Child: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered or Questioning Child. (2002)

Jennings and Shapiro present formal research, anecdotal essays, and professional advice on creating a healthy home environment for LBGTQ youth. Chapters include methods of understanding teenage culture, how to avoid sending unintentionally unwelcoming/anti-gay messages, and preventing depression in GLBT adolescents.

Kissen, Rita M. ed. Getting Ready for Benjamin: Preparing Teachers for Sexual Diversity in the Classroom. (2002)

This book argues that issues of sexual diversity are inextricably interwoven into the basic concerns of pre-service teacher education. How do we make our students aware of assumptions regarding masculinity, femininity, and sexuality that arise from what is presented, represented, or omitted from curricula and classroom practice?

Kissen, Rita M. The Last Closet: The Real Lives of Lesbian and Gay Teachers. (1996)

Kissen interviewed 105 lesbian, gay and bisexual teachers, counselors, librarians and administrators in public and private schools from Oregon to Massachusetts, encompassing preschool to senior high. As her survey reveals, gay educators are still widely harassed, pressured to resign or fired outright solely because of their sexual orientation.

Letts, William J, IV and James T. Sears, eds. Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue about Sexualities and Schooling. (1999)

This volume assembles a range of writers from diverse backgrounds and geographies to examine five broadly defined areas in elementary education: foundational issues; social and sexual development; curriculum; the family; and gay/lesbian educators and their allies.

Lipkin, Arthur. Beyond Diversity Day: A Q&A on Gay and Lesbian Issues in Schools. (2003)

This is a handbook for teachers, counselors, administrators, policy makers, parents, and students who want to understand and affirm sexuality differences; promote and protect the well-being of all students; and reduce bigotry, self-hatred, and violence.

Lipkin, Arthur. Understanding Homosexuality, Changing Schools. (2000)

This comprehensive book explores the issues surrounding homosexuality and education and advises a course of action to promote tolerance and provide equal opportunity for LGBT students.

McDougall, Bryce. My Child Is Gay: How Parents React When They Hear the News. (2007)

Written by parents who have a gay or lesbian child, this compilation of letters can help parents deal with feelings of confusion, embarrassment, guilt, or anger, while showing how ordinary families have found love, happiness, and normalcy again.

Owens, Robert. Queer Kids: The Challenge and Promise for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth. (1998)

In this book, Owens teaches about, and advocates for, the concerns of gay teens. Observing the benign neglect of society at large in providing support and vital information for queer kids, Owens focuses on counselors, parents, and adolescents, discusses stereotypes and prejudices, and seeks to provide crucial information and viable solutions.

Ressler, Paula. Dramatic Changes: Talking About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity With High School Students Through Drama. (2002)

This book follows the author’s practice since 1988, describing the innovative drama work she has done in various educational settings to address LGBT issues.

Ryan, Caitlin C. and Donna Futterman. Lesbian and Gay Youth: Care and Counseling. (1998)

Written by a social worker and a physician, this book outlines counseling and support needs of lesbian and gay youth for an audience of mental and physical health care providers, parents, educators, and other advocates. Special attention is paid to where GLBT adolescents’ needs and behavior do and do not overlap with those of their heterosexual peers.

Schniedewind, Nancy and Ellen Davidson. Open Minds to Equality: A Sourcebook of Learning Activities to Affirm Diversity and Promote Equality. (2006)

This book is an educator's sourcebook of activities to help students understand and change inequalities based on race, gender, class, age, language, sexual orientation, physical/mental ability, and religion.

Sears, James T., ed. Gay, Lesbian, And Transgender Issues In Education: Programs, Policies, And Practice. (2005)

Through the words of the adolescents themselves, along with clear up-to-date essays about LGBT youth programs, policies, and practices around the world, this book explores the challenges faced by LGBT youth.

Spurlin, William J., ed. Lesbian and Gay Studies and the Teaching of English: Positions, Pedagogies, and Cultural Politics. (2000)

Contributors address the issues and practices accompanying the teaching of lesbian and gay studies in disciplines and departments of English at all levels of instruction.

RETURN HOME