Nelson, C.: Sexual Identities in ESL: Queer Theory and Classroom Inquiry

Cynthia Nelson writes about gay (all types) rights in affiliation with teaching. Many issues are addressed that she feels that needed to be publicly addressed as our society grows with more people affiliated with this profession. Cynthia discusses the mindset of homosexual teachers should have and it should be a “queer” one which would allow more open-minded opportunities with teachers, staff, students, administration, families, etc instead of the negative stigma of sexual discrimination. The focus on gay teachers is an important issue that needed to be addressed and Cynthia did at the 26th Annual TESOL Convention by talking about the firing of gay teachers, hate crimes, and little/no civil rights. She acknowledges that gay/lesbian teachers should not hide their true identity as this can affect their overall outcome with peer professionals and personally themselves. Cynthia acknowledges that the sexual preference of a gay/lesbian teacher should not be anyone’s business and should not be up for discussion if the person chooses not to. The author also talks about the realities of teaching students from other countries who do not allow public homosexuality let alone hiring homosexuals for prominent jobs. The fact that these students come from countries where homosexuals have little/no civil rights and quite possibly death is another topic discussed in the article. Regardless she makes it aware that homosexuals live in every country and how students in the past have openly written about them. Rights need to be discussed, Cynthia says, and should not be hidden especially in the professional/college field. As not only gay/lesbian teachers exist but as do the students and their safety and equal education is at stake.

Over the years I have had only 2 educators that were openly gay with their students- 1 in high school and the other in college. The main characteristics that both teachers exuded were their open comfort about who they truly were and regardless of what lifestyle they chose should never conflict with their teaching and overall goal of learning from them. It is nobody’s business, especially a student, to ask me what sexual preference I am let alone is it mine to ask what preference my professor’s is. Nevertheless, I have grown up in a more open society than many students affiliated with this program and I acknowledge this will be an uphill battle for homosexual teachers when dealing with international students. As years pass as the author had written, all gay/lesbian people need more heterosexuals standing up with authority for homosexual rights.