The representations of LGBTQ themes and individuals in non-fiction young adult literature

Abstract

Purpose

Social justice themes permeate the social studies, history, civics, and current events curricula. The purpose of this paper is to examine how non-fiction trade books represented lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals and issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Trade books published after 2000 and intended for middle grades (5-8) and high school (9-12) students were analyzed.

Findings

Findings included main characters’ demography, sexuality, and various ancillary elements, such as connection to LGBTQ community, interactions with non-LGBTQ individuals, the challenges and contested terrain that LGBTQ individuals must traverse, and a range of responses to these challenges. Publication date, intended audience, and subgenre of non-fiction – specifically, memoir, expository, and historical text – added nuance to findings. Viewed broadly, the books generally engaged in exceptionalism, a historical misrepresentation, of one singular character who was a gay or lesbian white American. Diverse sexualities, races, ethnicities, and contexts were largely absent. Complex resistance structures were frequent and detailed.

Originality/value

This research contributes to previous scholarship exploring LGBTQ-themed fiction for secondary students and close readings of secondary level non-fiction trade books.

Citation

Bickford, J.H. (2017), "The representations of LGBTQ themes and individuals in non-fiction young adult literature", Social Studies Research and Practice, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 182-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/SSRP-05-2017-0021