Lesbian and gay teachers' experiences of 'coming out' in Irish schools

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Date
2013
Authors
Neary, Aoife
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Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Published Version
10.1080/01425692.2012.722281
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Abstract
Lesbian, gay and bisexual teachers have struggled with managing their sexual identities in contexts where heteronormative policing has resulted in deep silences and misrepresentation. However, many teachers have tried to counter this by 'coming out' or engaging with a process of disclosure. This paper draws on qualitative research with eight self-identified lesbian and gay teachers in primary and second-level schools in Ireland. Findings suggest that, for these teachers, the process of disclosure is valuable and fulfils a desire for openness and honesty. However, they continue to struggle with their teacher identities and aspects of their school culture. This paper argues that the complexities faced by these teachers in negotiating the process of disclosure are an illustration of the privileged position afforded heterosexuality in the Irish education system and the dividends that accrue to those who occupy a 'normal' sexual identity.
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Keywords
Disclosure , Gay , Lesbian , Schools , Sexuality , Teachers
Citation
Neary, A. (2013) 'Lesbian and gay teachers’ experiences of ‘coming out’in Irish schools', British Journal of Sociology of Education, 34(4), pp.583-602. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2012.722281
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URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10468/17623
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Education - Journal Articles
Copyright
© 2013, Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article whose final and definitive form has been published in the British Journal of Sociology of Education, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2012.722281