This timely and important book focuses on the problems of heterosexism and homophobia in schools and explores how these forms of oppression impact LGBTQQ youth, as well as all young people. The author shows how concerned teachers can engage students in literacy practices both in and out of school to develop positive learning environments. The featured vignettes focus on fostering student agency, promoting student activism, and nurturing student allies. With a unique combination of adolescent literacy and teacher action projects, this book offers a valuable model for educators interested in creating safe learning communities for all students.

Book Features:

Inspiring examples of literacy educators joining with students to find solutions to the problem of homophobia in their schools.
Action recommendations based on a wide range of research representing diversity in terms of age, race, class, gender, and sexuality.
“Practitioner Applications” in each chapter to help readers apply what they’ve read to their own practice.

Mollie V. Blackburnis an associate professor of literacy education at the Ohio State University. She is the co-editor ofActing Out!:Combating Homophobia Through Teacher Activism.

“In this important and powerful book, Blackburn provides teachers, students, parents, youth workers, community members, and policy makers—in brief all of us—with poignant stories, current research, and lived understandings to inform how we can act to make this a safer world for all youth.”

—From the Foreword byKatherine Schultz, Mills College

“This book is a must read for those who work with youth, especially in schools. Blackburn vividly illustrates the toll homophobia takes on our children, both gay and straight. Moving beyond the ‘protect and punish’ model, Blackburn provides practitioners with concrete suggestions for making our schools more equitable and welcoming places where all learners can thrive.”

—CJPascoe,Department of Sociology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs

“Blackburn takes a stand as she demonstrates how her act of interrupting hate is facilitated by the promise, purpose, and power of literacy. Let us learn from these stories as we work to understand ways of mobilizing for positive, necessary, and urgent change for ourselves and with others in a world that has yet to embrace the promise of social justice, diversity, difference, and equity.”

—Valerie Kinloch, Associate Professor, Literacy Studies, The Ohio State University