Queering Elementary Education is a groundbreaking book

Probably no other title in the pantheon of liberationist literature will evoke more controversy than Queering Elementary Education. If there was an unseemly uproar over Daddy's Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies, just wait till the Religious Reich spies this!!


One of the many past activities that Safe Schools Czar Kevin Jennings has come under fire for is writing the forward to a book in 1999 that called for elementary school teachers to encourage children to explore their sexual identities and to incorporate homosexual themes and role models into their curriculum. The book was called Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue about Sexualities and Schooling.

Using images from popular children’s media, we will transform these into a subversive coloring book, writing stories for the characters we always wanted to rebel against. Because so much of children’s media does not include Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Feminist characters and ideas, we will deliberately work to contradict this. Don’t miss the chance to make friends, cut-n-paste with a real live glue stick, and change the direction of children’s media. No artistic experience necessary.

Its editors, both educators, have provided what some see as a companion volume to the award-winning film, It's Elementary. They take it for granted that children in the earliest grades have already been introduced—through schoolyard and media—to the concept of same sex love and affection, that most remain confused about it and that it is best to begin demystification processes early in life rather than allowing mistaken perceptions to take root.

It's Elementary's producer, Debra Chasnof, exults: "What a relief to finally have such a thoughtful collection of essays and research to back up what we've found in schools across the nation…an examination of the ways children's lives are hurt by homophobia and an inspiring array of strategies educators can use to turn this problem around."

The revealing and heart wrenching personal experiences of gay and lesbian youths— who, because of homophobic social pressure now comprise at least one third of all youth suicides--are chronicled in Queering Elementary Education along with incisive commentaries by educators themselves. One of the book's two editors, James T. Sears, Ph.D., points out that it is "not about teaching sex. It's for teachers and parents who choose to model honesty, civility, authenticity, integrity, fairness and respect."