Sexual Identities in ESL: Queer Theory

I have to admit that professionals in TESOL field have almost explored everything, I felt amazed at the title of this article,Sexual Identities in ESL,Queen Theory, I never anticipated that someone will write an article appealing more inclusions of gay/lesbian identity in ESL classroom. I definitely enjoyed reading article, which was very fresh to me. The novelty of the approach and perspective was of great interest to me. The writer also elaborated the difference between gay and lesbian framework and queer theory which is more relevant to everyone, not just restricted on homosexual people. The inquiry which is informed by queer theory involve two theories that I am very interested in personally: "identifying prevailing, competing, and changing cultural norms that pertain to sexual identities. exploring problematic and positive aspects of this identity domain"


I was a little bit surprised about the writer's observation in the college, because some of the students felt embarrassed to respond to the teacher's question, two 30-year-old men walking down the street,is it normal if they hold hands? Then I looked at the time of that article was written, it was 1999. I have no idea if the students opinions in this classroom have changed now.However, most people I have known do not have prejudice against queer community. This is partly contributed to the queer theory, I guess.


Also,I happen to have the same experience of introducing gay/lesbian people's images in my classroom that the writer mentioned in the article.When I was working in the English school, we were required to give at least one "apply yourself" class to students, in this AY class, we simply talk to studeng in English and keep interviewing them until they become very fluent in English. Thus, we were brainstorming about what to teach, one day we had an idea of introducint gay/lesibian/transgender identities to our classroom. To my surprise, most of my students kept an open mind of those people. Student told me they had seen some gay people who were very laid-back and almost the same as the average people. But there was a gay teacher in our school who sometimes felt uneasy when they student were joking around about sissy gay people. It is the stereotype that they get over time. I can't make them get rid of this, however, as we talked, they gradually became more understanding of these people.