Interrupting Hate: Homophobia in Schools and What Literacy Can Do About It

by Mollie V. Blackburn, Katherine Schultz

This timely and important book focuses on the problems of heterosexism and homophobia in schools and explores how these forms of oppression impact LGBTQQ youth, as well as all young people. The author shows how concerned teachers can engage students in literacy practices both in and out of school to develop positive learning environments. The featured vignettes focus on fostering student agency, promoting student activism, and nurturing student allies. With a unique combination of adolescent literacy and teacher action projects, this book offers a valuable model for educators interested in creating safe learning communities for all students.

Genres: Education

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2011

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could have been an engaging and dynamic read felt sterile and clinical. There were very few suggestions about what we (teachers) can do about homophobia in school systems, and no acknowledgement about school cultures (specifically private schools and colleges) that are more liberal, where microaggressions are harder to identify. I wish this book offered lesson plans or a reading list for bringing non-heteronormative literacy into the classroom.

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

A by the book manual on Queer Pedagogies. Nothing more, nothing less.

[willowdog]

Blackburn, using current research, looks at homophobia and heterosexism in schools. Much of the book uses The Attic, a LGBTQQ youth center and its use of LGBTQQ reading and writing in an out of school context in the hopes of yielding agency and activism by developing programs such as speaker bureaus and support groups. Teacher awareness issues, developing student allies, GLBT Alliances, and teacher allies are also discussed.