Speaking Out: Perspectives of Gay and Lesbian Practitioners in Outdoor Education in the UK

Barnfield, D. and Humberstone, Barbara (2008) Speaking Out: Perspectives of Gay and Lesbian Practitioners in Outdoor Education in the UK. Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 8 (1). pp. 31-42. ISSN 1472-9679

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Abstract

Outdoor education has been shaped historically and culturally by many influences. Physically challenging activities out of doors have been appropriated by a number of traditions. These include militaristic, educational and developmental ideologies. Arguably, central to these ideologies are heterosexual, white middle class values. While women have sought to challenge this and feminist and pro-feminist research is evident, very little research has been undertaken into sexuality in relation to teacher or practitioner perspective and experience. Consequently, gay and lesbian voices within outdoor education are all but silenced. This paper explores the perspectives of three lesbian and four gay men who work in the UK outdoor education ‘industry’. In-depth interviews were held with the participants exploring a variety of issues relating to their life histories and their experiences of working in a predominantly heterosexist outdoor education culture. This paper focuses upon the ways in which the participants perceived the need to conceal their lesbian and gay identities and the consequential effects of managing their identities.

Item Type: Article
Depositing User: ULCC Admin
Date Deposited: 28 May 2012 11:54
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2018 10:57
URI: https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/9875

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