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Article
Progress and Backlash in the Wake of Obergefell: Reaching Conservative Southern Teachers through the Power of Literature
American Journal of Sexuality Education
  • Scott A. Beck, Georgia Southern University
  • Dina C. Walker-DeVose, Georgia Southern University
  • Laura E. Agnich, Georgia Southern University
  • Caren Town, Georgia Southern University
  • Trina Smith, Georgia Southern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2-2017
DOI
10.1080/15546128.2017.1280443
Abstract

This paper uses a mixed narrative and quantitative analysis to examine how a graduate class of predominantly politically and religiously conservative (self-identified), elementary teachers in the South made discursive sense of gender and sexually diverse (GSD) young adult and children's literature in the context of concurrent, relevant national events, especially the U.S. Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges. Using narrative data, supplemented with quantitative pre- and postsurveys, this study provides fruitful insights into conservative professionals' attitudes and practices regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth and adults. Our findings suggest effective ways to help prepare conservative professionals to sensitively address GSD issues in elementary school settings.

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Citation Information
Scott A. Beck, Dina C. Walker-DeVose, Laura E. Agnich, Caren Town, et al.. "Progress and Backlash in the Wake of Obergefell: Reaching Conservative Southern Teachers through the Power of Literature" American Journal of Sexuality Education Vol. 12 Iss. 2 (2017) p. 170 - 194 ISSN: 1554-6136
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/scott-beck/26/