Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

8-2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Ed. D.

Department

Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development

Degree Program

Educational Leadership and Organizational Development, EDD

Committee Chair

Brydon-Miller, Mary

Committee Member

Stevens, Douglas

Committee Member

Fulk, Robert

Committee Member

Brooks, Erica

Author's Keywords

queer educators; queer theory; KY senate bill 150; don't say gay

Abstract

Queer educators across the nation have faced an onslaught of issues in recent years as they maneuver working in the heteronormative environments of public schools. With the passing of Senate Bill 150 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2023, Kentucky educators became a part of the growing group of educators having to silence themselves within their classroom environments in order to protect their professional careers. This study sought to examine the ways in which queer educators navigate their professional environments in making decisions to either disclose or keep private their identity within the queer community. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 17 participants to gather information about the lived experiences of educators and administrators across the Commonwealth of Kentucky as it pertains to their coming out journey within their professional settings. This study utilizes queer theory as a theoretical framework in an endeavor to ensure that throughout the process, preconceived notions of meaning and understanding were not carried into the analysis of the transcripts of the interviews. The study found that, while educators and administrators have been able to come out of the closet in their professional environments, they have faced issues with some parents, administrators, board members, and community stakeholders. The study also found that it is vital for districts as well as individual schools to ensure they are offering internal supports for educators as Senate Bill 150 becomes more solidified across the Commonwealth.

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