Depictions of LGBTQ Athletes in Young Adult Literature that Interrogate Sport Culture

Authors

Katherine Mason Cramer, Wichita State UniversityFollow

Author Biographies

Katherine Mason Cramer is professor and program chair of middle/secondary English education at Wichita State University. She can be reached at Katie.Cramer@wichita.edu.

Abstract

Although there is an increasing sense of inclusivity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) athletes in K-12, collegiate, and professional sports, there is still unstated pressure not to come out, which is evident in GLSEN’s 2017 National School Climate Survey. Consequently, the depiction of LGBTQ athletes and the positive message of sports-themed young adult literature (YAL) is even more important. This article explores the ways that YAL aligns with and contradicts narratives of sexual and gender diversity within sport culture and connects this exploration to English language arts instruction using Bill Konigsberg’s YA novel Honestly Ben.

Recommended Citation

Cramer, Katherine Mason (2021) "Depictions of LGBTQ Athletes in Young Adult Literature that Interrogate Sport Culture," Language Arts Journal of Michigan: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.9707/2168-149X.2253

Publication Date

2-1-2021