Unleashing the Unpopular: Talking About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Book Launch Today for New Book Published by Trent Professor Karleen Pendleton Jiménez

Friday, January 18, 2008, Peterborough

Assistant professor Dr. Karleen Pendleton Jiménez from Trent University’s School of Education and Professional Learning will launch her new book entitled Unleashing the Unpopular: Talking About Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in Education during a special event at Titles Bookstore tonight at 7 p.m.

“Many people are still not comfortable speaking or teaching about sexual orientation and gender issues in schools,” said Professor Pendleton Jiménez. “This book addresses the fears and worries educators have by sharing stories to help them proactively approach the topic.”

Prof. Pendleton Jiménez co-edited the book with Isabel Killoran from York University. The groundbreaking new publication is a unique education resource that strives to improve understanding of issues related to sexual orientation, gender diversity, and education, and how they affect students, teachers, schools, universities and the community. These narratives and essays are offered as an invitation to make room for the questions and discussion that will hopefully lead to more equitable communities.

Unleashing the Unpopular also focuses on both the U.S. and Canadian legal context of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) issues in schools today. “Students who are bullied because of their sexual orientation are winning court cases now because they successfully argue that they were not protected by the schools,” explained Prof. Pendleton Jiménez.

During tonight’s book launch the editors will discuss barriers to successfully supporting LGBT students, teachers, professors, and parents, and explore the reasons behind action or inaction, the effects of not having supportive policy around LGBT issues, and possible solutions to the concerns. There will also be readings and poetry recited. Light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

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For further information, please contact Professor Karleen Pendleton Jiménez at (705) 748-1011, ext. 7052.