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,…

This paper describes how an ethnographer proceeded in a study of group identify, voice, and participation in the greater culture of gay and bisexual college men at a large research university. The researcher, himself a heterosexual man, conceptualized the investigation as a crossing of cultural borders. The investigator initially attended several…

Examines the role that the researcher's heterosexual identity plays in exploring the identity struggles of gay and bisexual men. Discusses issues of positionality and representation from the perspective of critical postmodernism and feminism. Advocates greater collaboration between researcher and research participants to overcome difficulties…

Individual profiles from an ethnographic study of gay/bisexual male students at Pennsylvania State University are presented, focusing on the experience of coming out while in college. Issues discussed include the relationship of language, culture, and power in shaping experience; overt student actions as political statements; and efforts to open…

Responds to commentaries by Robert Jensen and Deborah Britzman on the relationship between researcher and researched. Argues against a number of the discussants' points. Suggests that it may be futile to attempt to "know" others, but it is important to engage them in conversation as a means of understanding. (DSK)

Using a two-year ethnographic study, explores a subculture of gay and bisexual male students at a major university. Identifies areas of concern that student affairs administrators should consider in their efforts to improve the campus climate for these students. Describes the coming out process, visibility, and discrimination. (RJM)

A study used ethnographic methods to investigate the experience of gay and bisexual male college students from the perspective of subculture. Subjects (32 undergraduate and eight graduate students at a research university) were interviewed by telephone. Four students are profiled, and commonalities in their experiences and points of tension (gay…

Presents the findings of a two-year ethnographic study on the coming-out experiences of gay and bisexual college men. Discusses four related themes: (1) coming out as an ongoing process; (2) personal changes related to coming out; (3) negative experiences of coming out; and (4) ongoing experiences of harassment and discrimination. (RJM)

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.…