Description
Book SynopsisThe first book of its kind internationally, Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools explores the experiences of bisexual students, mixed sexual orientation families, and polyamorous families in schools. For the first time, a book foregrounds the voices and experiences of these students and families who are falling into the gaps or on the borders of a school's gay/straight divide in anti-homophobia policies and programs, and schools recognizing families as meaning either heterosexual couples, or, increasingly, homosexual couples. Drawing from interviews and online research with students, parents, and teachers, as well as providing a comprehensive overview and analysis of international educational and health research, and media/popular cultural texts, this book addresses the following: what are the problematic and/or empowering experiences and strategies of bisexual students, multisexual and polyamorous families in educational systems ? what could schools be doing to promote healt
Trade ReviewSexual identity is a hot topic today, with the national debates over the "don't ask, don't tell" military policy and same-sex marriage, and the increasing numbers of university programs in queer studies. Pallotta-Chiarolli (Deakin Univ. Melbourne, Australia) asks readers to set aside a bifurcated view of sexual identity (gay/straight) and consider the lives of those who are bisexual and/or are involved in committed polyamorous relationships....Recommended. * CHOICE *
Pallotta-Chiarolli seeks in Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools to show us how bi students and poly family members need educators’ attention and compassion as well....Pallotta-Chiarolli has set herself an ambitious task, and she rises to the occasion again and again....Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools is a compelling study of overlooked students. Moreover, it functions as an academic and an activist text, calling attention to the needs of bi students and those from alternative family structures, while also showing us ways to address their concerns and, in the process, making education truly more accessible, more enlightened and more humane. * Journal of Bisexuality *
Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools is a timely publication, given the recent press attention given to teenage suicides as a direct result of homophobic bullying-mistreatment by their peers relating to perceived or actual sexual orientation….The book is a first of its kind, and as such, takes great pains to do background work and to share first hand experience by students and their parents. -- Lisa Keele * Bi Women Magazine At Biwomenboston.Org.Au *
This is an important and provocative book that challenges conventional notions of family, sexuality and identity. It takes the reader beyond the heteronormative and binary limits for imagining a politics of difference to a place that exposes the erasure of the silenced voices of bisexual and multi-sexual subjects from the field of equity and social justice education. -- Wayne Martino Ph.D, University of Western Ontario
All educators, all families need this book. It asks questions that must be asked, yet have not been asked, and shares thoughtful perceptions and suggestions, in ways that may help humanity grow more whole. -- Loraine Hutchins Ph.D, Bi Any Other Name, BiNet USA, Towson University
Border Sexualities is a groundbreaking work which gives an in-depth glimpse of the issues that face sexual minority students, families and teachers within the school system. Furthermore, Pallotta-Chiarolli offers realistic ideas about how to address these issues. This book is a must-read for educators who wish to make their schools safer for all, and for bi, poly and gender-queer folks who are looking for ways to survive and thrive at school. -- Geri Weitzman Ph.D, Psychologist, San Francisco
Pallota-Chiarolli describes her aims in writing this book as, ‘broadening, interrogating and adding to ongoing debates and activism regarding sexual diversity and relationship diversity’. She does so in a passionate, yet well-documented manner. * Sex Education:Sexuality, Society and Learning *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 "Messing Up the School Sex-Filing Cabinet": Introducing The Research Chapter 2 "On the Bi- and Poly-Borders": Theorizing Dichotomy and Diversity Chapter 3 "We're the X-Files": When Bisexuality "Messes Up" Sexual Dichotomy in Schools Chapter 4 "Messing Up the Couples-Cabinet": Polyamorous Families in Schools Chapter 5 "From Difference to Diversity": From "X-files" to "whY- files?"
