From hiding out to coming out: empowering lesbian and gay educators

The purposes of this participatory research project were to describe the experiences of thirteen lesbian and gay educators and to empower the participants through collective reflection and action. Each participant was interviewed and given a copy of her or his audio-tape and transcript. Using these materials, each participant developed a profile of themselves to share with the other participants. During a series of group meetings that spanned fifteen months, participants discussed their experiences, searched for common themes, and planned two collective actions. This chapter describes the professional experiences of these lesbian and gay educators and the process of empowerment that changed their lives.