This article was published in Teaching and Teacher Education, Vol 26, Issue 3, Author(s): Caroline T. Clark, “Preparing LGBTQ-Allies and Combating Homophobia in a U.S. Teacher Education Program”, Pages 704-713, Copyright Elsevier (April 2010).
Interns in a US teacher education program were surveyed regarding their attitudes towards diversity, particularly issues of sexuality, and their feelings of “cultural competence” around diversity.
The survey also examined the repertoires of practices and resources that the students feel prepared to draw on in their work with middle and high schools students.
Analysis of course materials provided insight into distinctions between anti-homophobia and LGBTQ-ally stances among students.
Extensive semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 students.
The interviews explored these issues in more depth, documenting the students’ sense of preparedness and cultural competence, where locate and how they identify “useful experiences in learning how to teach LGBTQ youth. The interviews also examined the concerns the students face in their work against heterosexism and homophobia in schools.