Language: A Pernicious and Powerful Tool

Two principles guide Parker’s teaching: first is the belief that curriculum should connect with life, and second, is that she has an obligation to promote tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality. An important aspect of this is revealing to her students her own sexual orientation. In this article, she explains why she exposes her personal life, and describes how she creates a dialogue with her students about homosexuality, beginning with how the word “gay” is used in everyday language, specifically as a term to belittle peers. She also explains how infuses gay and lesbian literature with studies of canonical literature.