Inviting the Breach: Confronting Homophobia in the Name of Social Justice

Abstract

In 2008 California was divided over Proposition 8, a measure designed to prohibit same-sex marriage. In this article, we focus on a university classroom setting to explore how discussions about Proposition 8 and homophobia led to what Turner (1986) termed a social drama. Drawing on student personal narratives as they moved through the stages of social drama, we provide a poignant example of the conflict that may erupt when homophobia and heteronormativity are part of the curriculum. After documenting the social drama, we offer pedagogical strategies and note the strategic ways Christian, hegemonic discourse is utilized during discussions about homophobia.

Adolescentes homossexuais e suas relações com familiares: estudo fenomenológico

“…Lançam mão de estratégias que vão do total silenciamento no que se refere à diversidade sexual, produção de estigmas, chegando a segregação do homossexual. Isso para enaltecer e valorizar experiências e modos de existência que consideram levar à heterossexualidade e, assim, banir o que julgam conduzir à dissidência sexual e/ou de gênero (10) .…”

“…As instituições religiosas, especialmente as mais ortodoxas, a partir de seus ritos e crenças, instituem quais comportamentos são admitidos social e moralmente para conduzir a vida dos Mata indivíduos. Por meio de suas enunciações religiosas, reforça-se a heterossexualidade como única forma legítima e natural de relação afetivo--sexual (10,13) .…”

Christian and Political Conservatism Predict Opposition to Sexual and Gender Minority Rights through Support for Christian Hegemony

“…In the education literature, dialogue is proposed as a key way to raise awareness about Christian privilege (Case et al, 2013;Dessel & Bolen, 2014;Fairchild & Blumenfeld, 2007;Larson & Shady, 2012). In fact, scholars provide case study examples and pedagogical approaches and materials to help with teaching college students about Christian privilege (Clark et al, 2002;Robinson et al, 2015). Further empirical research is needed to demonstrate the impact of dialogue and other intervention strategies.…”