Closeted or Out? Gay and Lesbian Educators Reveal Their Experiences about Their Sexual Identities in K-12 Schools

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender school educators are practically invisible within the nature of heterosexist and homophobic education (Blount, 2005)."Openly gay and lesbian teachers were once thought of as immoral, and in some states coming out is still a risk to one's job" (McCarthy, 2003, p. 182).One's sexual orientation has nothing to do with the reasons lesbians and gay men become educators (DeJean, 2004).The purpose of this study is to determine how gay and lesbian teachers negotiate their identities and how those affect their relationships in school, as well as what effect their sexual orientation plays on their professional practices, roles, and responsibilities.Four gay and lesbian teachers and two gay administrators were interviewed about their experiences in their school communities.Additionally a focus group consisting of five gay and lesbian Catholic school educators, including a soccer coach and a football coach from an all boy's Catholic school was conducted.ii iii Chapter I characteristics associated with masculinity and those associated with femininity, as associated with heteronomativity."To perceive the relationship between genders as, in essence, unequal supposed a naturalized perception of heteronormativity" (Tin, 2008, p. 205).Queer is the term often used for those who are attracted to the same sex, but choose not to self identify as a gay man, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.There are those who claim we should use the term queer, in that it is more inclusive, yet does not specifically label (Tierney, 1997)."Queerness should challenge and confuse our understanding and uses of sexual and gender categories" (Tierney, 1997, p. 29).Transgender is a term used for those who choose to cross the lines of societal gender norms.The norms are defined by the dress considered appropriate for a male or female as acceptable in society.Any individual who crosses traditional gender lines with clothing, behaviors, or any part of a societal norm role.Transgender is not to be confused with transsexual, which is gender reassignment or the reassignment of sexual genitalia.Sexuality is a core aspect of being human throughout life and includes "sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction" (Appendix III, 2008, p. 95).Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of a variety of factors including biological, social, economic, cultural, political, ethical, legal, historical and religious or spiritual (Appendix III, 2008)."Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships" (Appendix III,