ABSTRACT
Changing cisheteronormative and misogynistic attitudes in South African society will be determined by how we address gender and sexuality diversity in education. This chapter provides a rationale and context and introduces the central arguments and an overview of the book's structure. It starts with an examination of cisheteronormativity in South African education and what it means to educate for social justice and inclusion. Using the writings of South African scholars concerned with school environments that foster, rather than denigrate, sexuality and gender diversity, the chapter makes visible the extent of cisheteronormativity while highlighting questions of schooling to broader issues of society, gender, sexuality and social justice. The analysis reveals the systemic nature of heterosexism and cisgenderism in schools and underscores the need for social change and school reform. In tracking how schools respond to the prevalence of cisheteronormativity, the chapter introduces and considers the potential of Queer Social Movements (QSM) building strategic coalitions in anti-heterosexism work. This chapter also describes the ethnographic research and details the research context, sampling, data collection and research process.
