Although Almond argues that the contemporary West has lost touch with the value of tolerance, I argue that that value applied to those of different religions and sexual orientations is too minimal a standard for a pluralistic society. I suggest, in the spirit of the work of Charles Taylor and Tariq Modood, the more robust standard of respect and…

Echoing conflicts in society, some observers argue social work education should exclude religious students while others argue social work education should exclude gay students. Instead of perpetuating this conflict, I suggest educators should transcend it and affirm the voices of both religious believers and lesbians and gay men. After noting…

This presentation is premised on a research study that was conducted with a group of secondary teachers. The study examined how teachers grappled with issues surrounding homophobia and heterosexism in their schools. For the purpose of this presentation, some of the findings from this study have been applied to the college campus. Specifically, the…

Involving communities in the process of curriculum development may not be novel, but it seems lacking with regard to controversial issues such as lessons on diverse family structures, homosexuality, and other special situations. Disparity in values and convictions can lead one person to support a decision, while another person might hold an…

An ally, as defined by dictionary.com, is "a person, group, or nation that is associated with others for some common cause or purpose." Therefore, allies are people whose orientation is "outside" of the oppressed group. An ally is often a person who recognizes her privileges and works in alliance with members of oppressed…

In this review essay, Robert Rhoads and Shannon Calderone consider how liberalism, as a guiding principle for school practices and educational policy making, reinforces heteronormativity through a doctrine of professed neutrality that circumscribes sexual expression and subjectivity. Through an analysis of Carol Vincent's "Social Justice,…

Multicultural studies often emphasize the need to diversify school curricula. There is a need for more varied representations of cultures in English teaching because the representations which teachers present heavily influence students' access to literacy. Many proponents of mainstreaming cultural diversity use liberal theories about cultural…

Attempts to redefine sexuality by new parameters for understanding male and female roles constitute a search for a new American ideology. The core issue is how the American nation will respond to a replay of the class war as a war of the sexes. (SLD)

Conservatism in college student publications is increasing. One common theme is the perception that students' education is being compromised by forced multiculturalism and diversity, feminist and gay rights movements, and political correctness. Censorship is also rising. Mainstream campus newspapers, formerly liberal, appear to be moving toward…

Argues that teachers must shine the brightest light they can onto ignorance. Discusses reasons why gay and lesbian issues need to be addressed in the curriculum. Describes helpful resources (including Web sites, a video, and nonfiction and fiction books) for raising teachers' own awareness, and for use in both preservice and regular classrooms.…

Inclusive education seeks to provide a welcoming environment for all students, not by ignoring gender, race, disability, or sexual identities, but by recognizing and validating difference. It is precisely this validation that alarms those who are attempting to rein in schools that have initiated anti-heterosexist programs. But no one is satisfied…

This paper uses the conventional treatment of homosexuality in public schools to illustrate how public schools are being drawn into the battle brewing between "new right" fundamentalists and progressives in American culture as society is changing and cultural diversity is increasing. Public schools may play an important role in building…

Heterosexism and homophobia, revealed by surveys to be common on university campuses, must be countered by positive, proactive administrative and faculty action, including statements of nondiscrimination, equal treatment, unequivocal response to acts and words of intolerance, and encouragement of research and curriculum on this and related issues.…

The social isolation caused by differing cultural backgrounds of minority students on college campuses creates certain "points of tension" that reduce faculty effectiveness and limit student vision. This monograph attempts to provide a greater awareness and understanding of these issues within the context of the role of college unions and student…

This book argues that efforts to improve the effectiveness of public schools are ironic and harmful to the family. It asserts that "pushing schools toward becoming one-stop service centers" whose mission is to care for the "whole child" is at the same time decreasing parents' responsibility to care for their children, turning schools into…