Ten Percent of Those We Teach and They Serve: A Case Study of Incorporating Gay and Lesbian Studies into the Curriculum

Abstract

Growing up as a gay or lesbian person in American society frequently means experiencing extreme physical and verbal abuse, emotional stresses, educational problems and rejection and isolation from family and peers. For some, it means shortened lives. The leisure service delivery system can make a difference. It is the author's contention that recreation and leisure service professionals should be educated to work effectively with diverse populations, including gay and lesbian people. This article describes the experience in developing educational experiences about gay and lesbian people for students at one university, including: (a) the stimulus for incorporating gay and lesbian studies into the curriculum, (b) developmental processes, (c) course development, (d) student profiles and course evaluation, (e) theoretical approaches to the course content, and (f) teaching strategies found to be effective in the program.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arnold H. Grossman

Biographical Information

Arnold H. Grossman is Professor of Education, Program in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Department of Health Studies in the School of Education, Health, Nursing, and Arts Professions at New York University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hetrick-Martin Institute (a social service organization serving lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in New York City), Secretary/Treasurer of the World Leisure and Recreation Association, and Project Director of the NYU AIDS/SIDA Mental Hygiene Project. The author expresses his gratitude to Philip Bockman of New York City for his constructive criticism on an earlier draft of this article.