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Disability and Equity in Education
Ally; Gay-Straight Alliance; Heteronormativity; Heterosexism; Homophobia; Straight Ally
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Full-Text Articles in Education
Straight Allies: Combating Homophobia And Interrogating Heteronormativity 'Straight' On, Alicia A. Lapointe
Straight Allies: Combating Homophobia And Interrogating Heteronormativity 'Straight' On, Alicia A. Lapointe
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
This thesis investigates the experiences of five allies and their involvement in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in secondary schools in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Drawing on both queer theoretical perspectives and Kumashiro’s (2002) framework of anti-oppressive education, I investigate what motivates or influences allies' decisions to become members of GSAs, and I explore their roles as allies in secondary schools. This inquiry portrays how allies play a critical role in facilitating social change in their schools, and how GSAs positively contribute to school communities. By investigating the experiences of allies, I wish to emphasize the importance of authorizing students' perspectives as a …