Myers Education Press Writing Beyond Recognition: Queer Re-Storying for Social Change (Queer Singularities: LGBTQ Histories, Cultures, and Identities in Education)

Writing Beyond Recognition: Queer Re-Storying for Social Change documents and analyzes the insidious ways heteronormativity produces homophobia and heterosexism, including how this operates and is experienced by those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and queer. Using critical arts research practices read through queer and feminist theories and perspectives, the chapters in the book describe how participants who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered gained critical insights by learning to write and read about their experiences in new ways. Their revised queer stories function to enable a movement beyond merely recognizing to appreciating and understanding those differences. Robson offers a powerful argument about how everyone is narrated by and through discourses of gender and sexuality. Therefore, the content of the book is directed at all readers, not only those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or queer. The book will be important as a text in any course or area of study that is focused on inclusive education, cultural studies in education, critical arts research methods, gender and sexuality studies, and critical literacy approaches in education. Review "During a week when I had more than enough to do, I kept returning to Claire Robson's lively and engaging book Writing Beyond Recognition. Her theory of writing practice and wise pedagogy for transforming traumatic memory into story shows the importance of the creative arts for survival and resilience."--Ann Cvetkovich, Carleton University, author of An Archive of Feelings and Depression: A Public FeelingDespite its innocuous title, this text is a treasure trove of ideas related to working not only with LGBTQ students, but with any students who may feel marginalized both inside and outside the classroom. The book is the first in what will be a series entitled Queer Singularities: LGBTQ Histories, Cultures, and Identities in Education from Myers Education Press. Each chapter has an extensive reference list, inviting readers to explore the topic thoroughly, and in-text citations introduce a broad span of contemporary theorists. Chapter 6, 'Writing about Painful Topics, ' offers practitioners suggestions to 'encourage difficult feelings because this is where passion and feelings reside.' 'Pedagogical Considerations, ' a valuable list, provides a template for encouraging teachers to 'deal with emotional issues, [questions] about our increasingly risk-averse ... culture, and our failure to deal adequately with the emotional struggles that many of our students endure in silence.' This book belongs in any graduate course that is focused on inclusive education, critical arts research, gender/sexuality studies, and critical literacy. It is also important for practitioners who wish to include critical arts research practices read through queer and feminist theories and perspectives. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.--Choice About the Author Claire Robson