Forced Back into the Closet: A (Queer) Principal’s Attempt to Maintain Queer Erasure

Abstract

This case adds to a lack of research that considers the intersection of queer identities and educational leadership. The case narrative demonstrates the complex nuances of two negotiated professional queer identities. In addition, the case considers the consequences of queer erasure on the existing heteronormative culture of schooling. The teaching notes review the literature on queer school professionals and provide a background for understanding the geographical and historical considerations of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer) identities in schools. The author concludes with a plea to both heterosexual and queer school leaders and those who prepare them to reflect on their position and responsibilities within a heteronormative and heterosexist field. The activities and discussion questions are designed with these aims in mind.

The Disruptive Power of Policy Erasure: How State Legislators and School Boards Fail to Take up Trans-affirming Policies While Leaning into Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies

“…While we do not interview PK-12 leaders in this study, past research suggests superintendents, principals, and even school lawyers lack an awareness of the legal landscape concerning trans students, a form of institutional erasure (McQuillan et al, 2023). Some LGBTQ+ leaders who would be advocates for students may even go back into the closet as the political climate becomes more vitriolic and unsafe for queer educators (Duarte, 2020). Past legal scholarship also suggests both structural erasure may be exacerbated by resource erasure when interpreting educational equity policies and weighing the needs of multiple stakeholders.…”

Psychosocial Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People Living in Portugal and Brazil—A Qualitative Study

“…On the other hand, the fact that many families do not accept their LGBTIQ family members, led many of our participants to go back into the closet, and this is not without relevant psychosocial consequences, such as LGBTIQ identity erasure on the existing heteronormative culture and exposure to sexual stigma. 72 Also, the cancelling of all LGBTIQ pride celebration events negatively affected our participants significantly, because these events constitute a single opportunity to promote visibility, empowerment, and community support. 73 Finally, being forced to stay at home made LGBTIQ individuals to be more exposed to the risk of social isolation and lack of dating interaction, with a drastic decrease of regular sexual and relational activities and an increased risk of sexual and relational activities under the effect of illicit substances, 74 and sexual and intimate partner violence.…”

Weaponising Digital Architecture: Queer Nigerian Instagram Users and Digital Visual Activism

“…In addition, Figure 9 can be perceived as exhortative to members of the queer community who may not be confident about their sexual identities or who may have doubts in accepting their orientations. Existing literature indicates that, because of the suffusing influences of heteronormativity, many closet queers vilify themselves for being 'different' , with some hoping that they may be able to repress their closet identities and ultimately conform to societal expectations [65][66][67]. Figure 9 is therefore an importunate expression for closeted queer people to be accepting of Weaponising Digital Architecture: Queer Nigerian Instagram Users and Digital Visual Activism DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108760 their 'difference' and embrace their identities.…”