Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - DP120031
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED344220 AUTHOR: Kissen, Rita M.
TITLE: Listening to Gay and Lesbian Teenagers.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1991
NOTE: 13 p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
National Council of Teachers of English (81st, Seattle, WA,
November 22-27, 1991).
ABSTRACT: A questionnaire was sent to gay and lesbian youth
support groups around the country asking what it felt like
to be gay and lesbian in high school, and how young people
thought teachers and counselors could make their classrooms
more comfortable for gay and lesbian students. The 44
responses came from young people who had attended public or
parochial high schools in 17 states and 1 foreign country.
The great majority (37) were male. Most of the respondents
were in their early 20s and indicated that they were
between 12 and 18 years old when they first became aware of
being gay. Most of the few positive mentions of
homosexuality in high school took place in the English
classroom, and all five respondents who were "out" to
teachers confided in English teachers. More than half the
respondents did not come out to their friends. Only 6 said
they were victims of violence, although 11 endured verbal
abuse by students who perceived them as gay. None of the
respondents indicated good memories of high school. Some
respondents spoke directly about breaking the silence
surrounding homophobia and urged teachers to find out about
gay and lesbian resources and make them available to
students. Respondents also urged gay and lesbian teachers
to come out to their students. Teachers have the
opportunity to affirm diversity in the classroom,
curricula, and in interactions with students and other
faculty members. (RS)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: High-Schools; National-Surveys;
Questionnaires-; School-Surveys
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *High-School-Students; *Homosexuality-;
*Student-Attitudes; *Teacher-Student-Relationship
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