Coming Out of the Classroom Closet: Gay and Lesbian Students, Teachers, and Curricula

This landmark book empowers educators to become visible, positive influences and role models in their classrooms and schools. As most homosexual educators, and even students, remain invisible due to possible hostilities of "coming out," this eye-opening book presents recent research to help gay and lesbian teachers break their silence. It encourages them to speak out on issues of homosexuality where curricula, civil rights, personal freedoms, and social entitlements are concerned. Chapters of The Classroom Closet look closely at many issues surrounding the issue of homosexuality in schools. Pointing to reports of greater social support and legal protection than is assumed by most in the educational system, this book should be required reading for all persons concerned about continuing to provide high-quality education.

Karen M. Harbeck, PhD, JD, is a lecturer at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a fellow at the New England Resource Center for Higher Education, University of Massachusetts. Her areas of specialization include school law, educational history, and minority issues in education. She maintains a private law practice throughout Massachusetts, specializing in the legal needs of lesbian and gay clients.