Fit to Teach: Same-Sex Desire, Gender, and School Work in the Twentieth Century

by Jackie M. Blount

Honorable Mention, 2006 History of Education Society's Outstanding Book Award
Winner of the 2005 Critics' Choice Award presented by the American Educational Studies Association

Jackie M. Blount offers a history of school workers in the United States who have desired persons of the same sex as well as those who have transgressed conventional gender bounds. Despite recent impressive social and political gains for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons, schools remain a zone of great vulnerability for the larger LGBT movement. This thoroughly researched, vivid, and engaging book details the largely untold story of how this state of affairs developed during the twentieth century. It also profiles some of the remarkable people who have risked their careers by brilliantly organizing for LGBT rights, openly challenging discriminatory laws and practices, and educating their communities about conditions for LGBT school workers and students alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Education, LGBT, Queer

238 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2004

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so interesting and really talked a lot about gender and sexuality in schools and specifically in teachers. I thought her argument and evidence was very convincing. And for a history book, also pretty easy to follow and enjoyable!

[Joelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading for scholarly writing...