Silent Readers, Silenced Readers: LGBT Student Perceptions of LGBT Representation in Composition Readers

"Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) representation in composition readers remains limited and is frequently nonexistent (Hudson 2003). Thus, a significant minority of our composition students find themselves with little or no representation in so-called inclusive readers. In this dissertation, I present the findings of my research, based in part on interviews with self-identified and ""out"" LGBT students. I will explore the impact this lack of representation has on LGBT students in composition classrooms, and identify numerous benefits---as well as potential risks---of the presence of LGBT-related selections in composition readers. Building on the work of Malinowitz in Textual Orientations: Lesbian and Gay Students and the Making of Discourse Communities (1995), I draw attention to two persistent zones of silence in Writing Studies: LGBT students in composition classrooms and LGBT representation in composition readers. Given the persistence of homophobia, the very real harm that it continues to inflict, and the evidence which identifies the college-age population as that most prone to overt homophobic behavior, including homophobic violence, I argue that anti-homophobic pedagogy needs to be an element of our writing classrooms, and indeed of all campus classrooms wherever practical. Further, given the clear benefits of having LGBT-related selections in composition readers identified by my research participants, such selections ought to be a centerpiece of anti-homophobic pedagogy in composition classrooms. Finally, I argue that, if we are truly serious about both diversity and preparing students for just, democratic citizenship, this persistent silence in our readers must be broken."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hudson, John Henry

Contributors dc:contributor

• Peter Mortensen

• Gender Studies

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3269920

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/81428