‘A Ripple in the Pond’: Challenging homophobia in a teacher education course

Abstract

In this paper, l discuss an elective course I offer to students in their 4th year of pre-service teacher education. Dealing with education, gender, and the adolescent homosexual, the course attempts to challenge students' assumptions about gender roles, compulsory heterosexuality, and homosexuality. I discuss the theories that informed my teaching of the course, give readers a picture of how my students have responded in writing to theories, film excerpts, and panel discussions, and argue that teacher education institutions should include courses which address LGBQ issues. The purpose of the paper is to stimulate discussion about the role teacher education institutions should be playing in preparing our teachers to challenge heterosexism and reduce homophobia in South African schools.

Keywords:

• homophobia
• heterosexism
• teacher education