"Absolutely it was not safe" : Indigenous LGBTIQSB+ experiences of education in Australia

Corrinne T. Sullivan, D. Tran, Kim Spurway, Linda Briskman, J. Leha, W. Trewlynn, Karen Soldatic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Indigenous LGBTIQSB+ individuals occupy a unique intersection of identities that inform their lived experiences and the ways in which they navigate colonial settler educational institutions. Despite a considerable body of evidence demonstrating the importance of inclusion, educational policies in Australia remain outdated. These policies are frequently informed by a deficit approach that justifies the absence of Indigenous and gender/sexuality diverse content within school curricula. This further acts to shore up discriminatory practices and policies. Using interviews and workshops held with young Indigenous LGTBIQSB+ people, this article reports on the ways participants experienced educational institutional settings. First, participants reported on the kinds of policies and curriculum content that discriminated against and marginalised them, as well as highlighting some positive aspects of school and university. Participants also revealed the potentialities for Indigenous and LGBTIQSB+ inclusivity that could be facilitated within educational spaces. The article demonstrates the need for safer and more inclusive educational environments, which could be achieved through the decentring of settler knowledges and heteronormativity, transforming educational spaces at an institutional level to facilitate safety at interpersonal and collective levels.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages18
JournalThe Australian Journal of Indigenous Education
Volume53
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Open Access - Access Right Statement

Except where otherwise noted, content in this journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). As an open access journal, articles are free to use with proper attribution.

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