Abstract: This paper examines narratives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth who have not been silenced or disenfranchised and who have not felt powerless in the face of society's resentment and understanding of their lifestyle. Elements in school, at home, with the extended family networks, among peers, and particular interpersonal dynamics of the individual are scrutinized to uncover factors that contribute to their capacity to thrive. Based on this select group of youth, recommendations are offered for undoing homophobia and heterosexism in schools in order to make them inclusive settings where all people thrive. (EH)

Title: From Surviving to Thriving: Lessons from Lesbian and Gay Youth.
Author: Friend, Richard A.
Note: 19p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Chicago, IL, March 24-28, 1997).
Publication Year: 1997
Document Type: Evaluative Report (142); Conference Paper (150)
Target Audience: Practitioners and Teachers
ERIC Identifier: ED416158
Clearinghouse Identifier: SO028216

Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education; * Empowerment; * Homophobia; * Homosexuality; Individual Power; Lesbianism; Personal Autonomy; Social Bias

Identifiers: Bisexuality