Where are the LGBTQ+ Books in my Classes' Syllabus?

Question

Why are there no prominent LGBT+ classics in your AP Literature or College class syllabus?

Answer 1

I can't speak to the AP Literature courses other than the AP Literature curriculum is designed to prepare its students for the AP literature exam. Until the entire examination process for AP courses is overhauled, I don't see that changing.

For college courses, it depends on the specific institution, department, and instructor (sometimes). Some institutions that are more conservative in nature by location or what have you may simply omit LGBTQIA+ writing/authors out of ignorance, fear, or worst case hatred. However, if that isn't the issue, the English department may have specific reading it requires students in introductory level literature classes to read and the instructor may not have a choice in which writing or authors they assign from term to term. Usually when students get to their upper-level coursework in English for more specified themes of literature, those instructors to tend to have more freedom in their choice of assigned readings.

If you do wish to see more LGBTQIA+ authors and writing in your English literature coursework, I would suggest bringing that feedback directly to your teachers, instructors, professors - whatever their job title as soon as you're able to. Don't wait until the end of the semester/quarter because if they do have any freedom, student feedback makes all the difference.

Answer 2

There are a lot of societal factors that play into marginalized communities' suppression. For example, queerness in literature has been deeply stigmatized in western society for it's revolutionary push against bigoted stereotypes of Queer people, that reinforced the persecution of LGBTQ and BIPOC peoples. When authors did write Queer characters into their stories, there was often an immediate lash back, that led to criminal charges against themselves for perceived violations of moral character. Even as Western society grows more progressive and being LGBT is less met with state violence, the subliminal repression of Queer texts lives on in your school's required reading lists, which were largely decided upon before you were even born. Therefore, if a teacher doesn't make the conscious effort to include progressive, queer inclusive texts in their classroom, you may never come across a realistic and positive depiction of LGBTQ characters in a learning setting. This unfortunate fact only deepens rifts between LGBTQ kids and young adults in school, who don't get to see themselves as worthy of being the main character in romanticized classics. As your tutor, I can help you dismantle the inequity in your own reading list, think critically about the systems which put these power dynamics in place, and find new books that match up with your expectations for LGBTQ+ characters' inclusion and celebration in books for all ages! There are plenty works of Queer fiction, nonfiction, and more written by authors who share the same identities as you, and with a little help from you, we can bring those works into the classroom as classics for the future generation:)