Abstract: The impact of homophobia on health education practice has received little attention until recently. As a profession, health educators have not yet adequately addressed lesbian and gay health issues. This paper defines homophobia and discusses the consequences of homophobia in health education and implications for practice. The health education needs of lesbians and gays are seldom met as a consequence of homophobia. Areas of particular relevance to health educators include heterosexual bias in sexuality education curriculum and textbook context, AIDS education, hate violence, adolescent suicide, and health education research on lesbian and gay topics. Strategies for eliminating homophobia include professional development of health educators and curriculum change at the university level. Fourteen references are included. (IAH)

Title: Homophobia in Health Education: Implications for Practice.
Author: Baker, Judith A.
Note: 11p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (San Francisco, CA, April 2-6, 1991).
Publication Year: 6 Apr 1991
Document Type: Conference Paper (150); Position Paper (120)
Target Audience: Teachers and Practitioners
ERIC Identifier: ED332964
Clearinghouse Identifier: SP033060
This document is available from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service.

Descriptors: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adolescents; Curriculum Development; Females; * Health Education; Higher Education; * Homosexuality; Males; Sex Education; * Social Bias; Suicide; Textbook Bias

Identifiers: *Homophobia