Reconceptualising homophobia: by leaving ‘those kids’ alone

ABSTRACT

‘How can we apprehend homophobia as more than we currently know?’ This paper attempts a conceptual intervention to rethink current approaches to homophobia in schools. It draws on ideas from feminist philosopher Todd around attention and openness to uncertainty. It also employs queer theoretical notions of subjectless antihomophobia education from Airton, arguing there may be utility in understanding that homophobia is not held by a subject – as an attitude or set of meanings used against others. Interview narratives from a two-year research project exploring the production of sexual meanings at school offer a window into acknowledging homophobia as subjectless. That is, homophobia does not need a queer-identified subject to be its target to operate. Nor, does homophobia need an ignorant or fearful (human) subject to perpetuate it. Subjectless anti-homophobia education requires understanding homophobia as something in which all of us are implicated, and where homophobia is never ours alone.

KEYWORDS:

• Homophobia
• queer theory
• Sharon Todd
• schooling
• sexuality
• LGBTIQA+

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Early Career Research Excellence Award from the University of Auckland: [Grant Number 3606314/9215].