Gender and Sexual Diversity in Music Teacher Education
In music education, issues related to gender and sexual orientation are numerous and complex, and they have significant implications for EC-12 students, teachers, and curricula. By making preservice teachers aware of common issues related to gender and sexual orientation in music education, and equipping them with strategies to help navigate unexpected and teachable moments, preservice music teachers may better facilitate discussions about gender and sexual orientation in a way that will yield equitable, safe, democratic, and open music classrooms. This chapter will (a) provide music teacher educators with an overview of the current political and social climate for LGBTQ students and teachers, (b) present rationale for the inclusion of gender and sexual diversity education within music education, (c) illustrate different approaches to incorporating this topic into the curriculum, (d) identify common concerns of preservice music students regarding gender identity and sexual orientation, and (e) provide resources for further study.