LGBTQ+ History in High School Classes in the United States since 1990

This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open programme and is available on www.bloomsburycollections.com.

From grassroots campaigns and activism to top-down initiatives for and against curricular reform, this book investigates the movement to integrate LGBTQ+ history into high school history courses in the USA. Stacie Brensilver Berman charts the development of the movement from the founding of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the passing of the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act in California, to the resurgence of conservative thought after the 2016 election. Based on 13 interviews with high school teachers about integrating LGBTQ+ history in their classes, the author reveals the challenges inherent to K-12 curricular reform amid the reluctance of a conservative nation and many of its school systems to consider an alternative vision. The book offers the first detailed portrait of a prophetic minority of educators and activists championing a more inclusive and accurate vision of American history. The book includes a Foreword written by Blanche Wiesen Cook, Distinguished Professor of History and Women's Studies at the City University of New York, USA, and Robert Cohen, Professor of Social Studies, Education, at New York University, USA.

“No topic is a more contentious curriculum issue than the subject of this book. Stacie Brensilver Berman brings to it fairness thorough research, and readability. An original and timely book.” —Stephen J. Thornton, Professor of Social Studies Education, University of South Florida, USA

“By narrating thirty years of challenges and triumphs in LGBTQ-inclusive history education policy and practice, Brensilver Berman also provides astute analysis to guide the future. As momentum builds for states supporting such education while others seek to legislate its outright ban, this is a timely book for us all.” —Don Romesburg, Professor of Women's and Gender Studies, Sonoma State University, USA