Fit to Teach

Jackie M. Blount

Description

Honorable Mention, 2006 History of Education Society's Outstanding Book Award
Winner of the 2005 Critics' Choice Award presented by the American Educational Studies Association

Jackie M. Blount offers a history of school workers in the United States who have desired persons of the same sex as well as those who have transgressed conventional gender bounds. Despite recent impressive social and political gains for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons, schools remain a zone of great vulnerability for the larger LGBT movement. This thoroughly researched, vivid, and engaging book details the largely untold story of how this state of affairs developed during the twentieth century. It also profiles some of the remarkable people who have risked their careers by brilliantly organizing for LGBT rights, openly challenging discriminatory laws and practices, and educating their communities about conditions for LGBT school workers and students alike.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. The Gender and Sexual Transformation of School Work

2. Passing Through That Phase of Homosexuality

3. A Spinster's Profession

4. A Rising Threat

5. The New Moral Menace to Our Youth

6. Sometimes You Just Have to Take a Stand

7. How Sweet It Is!

8. By the Students

Epilogue

Notes

Index

Sujets

• History of education
• Gender studies

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 03 juillet 2006
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9780791484166
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

J ACKIE M. B LOUNT

FIT TO TEACH

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Fit to Teach

SameSex Desire, Gender, and School Work in the Twentieth Century

jackie m. blount

s t a t e u n i v e rs i t y o f n e w yo r k p r e s s

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2005 State University of New York

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207

Production by Kelli Williams Marketing by Anne M. Valentine

Cover photo from the private collection of Catherine A. Lugg. Used with permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Blount, Jackie M., 1959– Fit to teach : same-sex desire, gender, and school work in the twentieth century / Jackie M. Blount p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn0–7914–6267–6 (alk. paper) 1. Homosexuality and education—United States—History— 20th century. 2. Gay teachers—United States—History— 20th century. I. Title. lc192.6.b56 2004 371.1'0086'64'—dc22 2004041624

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Contents

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Acknowledgments vii

Introduction

1

The Gender and Sexual Transformation of School Work

Passing Through That Phase of Homosexuality 29

A Spinster’s Profession

A Rising Threat

5

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4

5

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The New Moral Menace to Our Youth

Sometimes You Just Have to Take a Stand

How Sweet It Is!

By the Students

Epilogue

Notes

Index

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Acknowledgments

As I write the final words for this book, I realize how utterly indebted I am to countless people, both known and unknown, who in some manner have helped me with this project. In a very direct sense, the existence of lesbian and gay historical archives has made this work possible. The staff and volunteers of these organizations spend untold hours quietly gather- ing, cataloging, and displaying the isolated artifacts that together docu- ment a rich, emerging history. I have been fortunate enough to visit the Gerber/Hart Library (Chicago), Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of Northern California (San Francisco), One Institute and Archives (Los Angeles), Lesbian History Project (Los Angeles), James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center (San Francisco), and June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives (Los Angeles). Three women in particular went to great lengths to assist me in tracking down many difficult-to-find resources: Jo Duffy and Sarah Wright (Mazer Collection), and Yolanda Retter (Lesbian History Pro- ject). They also made Los Angeles a warm and welcoming place for two women from Iowa. My travel to these archives, as well as to several large research librar- ies, was made possible by an Iowa State University (ISU) Research Grant and an ISU College of Education Small Research Grant. I received these necessary funds in large part because of the kind support of college ad- ministrators who believed in the value of this work: Camilla Benbow, Dan Reschley, Larry Ebbers, Dick Zbaracki, and Ann Thompson. I also thank Ann Thompson and Walt Gmelch for allowing me some time for this research during my own subsequent administrative appointments. Priscilla Ross, Director of SUNY Press, has earned my undying grati- tude for having confidence in this project and for her patience as my un- anticipated four years of administrative work necessitated that I write many more pages of extension requests than manuscript. I thank Lisa Chesnel as well for her patience and editorial assistance. Kelli Williams led this project skillfully through production and Anne Valentine coordi- nated its marketing. I thank them both for their talent and attention. Finding many of the sources cited in this book has been difficult, time- consuming work. Amazingly, Eric Rofes, who has provided significant leadership for a wide range of LGBT organizations from the 1970s

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Acknowledgments

through the present, accumulated a personal archive of primary source documents describing the educators and students who together made a movement. He generously invited me and my partner to his apartment in the Castro to peruse this well-maintained collection and he expressed only confidence as BeJae and I carted armloads of these valuable docu- ments down Market Street to the nearest copy center. Although Eric is singularly well-poised to recount a full, complex, and lively history of LGBT school workers, he did everything possible to help me with this book. For the time being, his scholarly interests lie elsewhere, but he strongly believes that these stories need to be told. I cannot thank Eric enough for his kindness, support, access to this treasure, and long-term leadership that has improved conditions for all LGBT persons. A number of other friends and colleagues have encouraged me in pur- suing this project as well. Penny Richards, Chris Ohana, and Sine Ana- hita sent me valuable leads and research contacts. Cathi Lugg not only e- mailed me a number of precious resources, but she also gave me the captivating photo of her school-teaching grandmother that graces the cover. Cathi Lugg, Karen Graves, Susan Talburt, Eric Rofes, Andi O’Connor, Glorianne Leck, Kate Rousmaniere, Sine Anahita, Kayt Sun- wood, John D’Emilio, Dick Zbaracki, and BeJae Fleming have helped me sharpen my thinking about this work by challenging my assumptions, suggesting theories, quickly finding the weaknesses in my arguments, and generally being wonderfully supportive colleagues. I particularly thank Eric Rofes, Cathi Lugg, BeJae Fleming, Karen Graves, and Dick Zbaracki for reading drafts of this manuscript and offering stunningly insightful suggestions for improvement. They bear no responsibility for the weaknesses of my work, but much credit for its strengths. Karen Graves even assigned the manuscript to the talented students in her hon- ors seminar on LGBT issues in schools offered at Denison University. Of these students, the following provided me with detailed comments that have assisted me greatly with revisions: Lauren Haas, Joanna McKenzie, Benjamin Rorrer, Nicole Weaver, Lara Ellinger, Brooke Bluestein, Jimmy McCloskey, and Leigh Stone. Finally, preparing such a work as this requires much more than archive and library time, quiet processing, and uncounted hours at the computer. So much of this project has unfolded within the context of enriching friendships. In particular, I extend my deep appreciation to BeJae Flem- ing, Sine Anahita, and Kayt Sunwood, who shared southern-fried tofu with gravy or campfire-grilled salmon all those nights of pitched tents, flaming logs, and hooting owls at Squirrel Hollow Park. There, under the stars, we talked through much of this book, Sine and Kayt’s dissertations,

Acknowledgments

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and so many of BeJae’s songs. Sine and Kayt now follow the nightly dis- play of northern lights from their cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska where I wish them warmth and only friendly bears. Above all, I give my greatest thanks to BeJae Fleming, whose inspired music forms the backdrop of my life, and whose love gives it meaning.