At a time not in the far distant past, I would have questioned whether
this issue was pertinent to adult education.  However, over the past
several years, I have learned that issues concerning the lives of adult
learners including abuse, discrimination, and isolation affect their
entire lives--including their willingness to "risk" participating in
adult learning activities.  

I wish you luck in finding funding to explore this issue and its many
layers.

-----Original Message-----
From: womenliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:womenliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of mev at litwomen.org
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 7:25 AM
To: The Women and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [WomenLiteracy 640] lesbian women

In the discussion of the merger, some concern about lesbian women and 
homophobia (heterosexism, my word choice) has emerged. Just as an fyi, 
WE LEARN has outlined a research project on this topic, "Coming out: 
Lesbians in ABE" and is actively seeking funding for it.

This is a summary of our proposal...
There exists little data (quantitative or qualitative) about the 
existence, realities, experiences, and issues for lesbians in adult 
basic/literacy education (ABE) communities. Using participatory action 
research, we will focus on information gathering and discovery, as well 
on the process of research as a community and individual empowerment 
activity. These questions (and others) will serve as guides: How are 
lesbian issues addressed, ignored, silenced in ABE/ESOL? What is the 
impact of silencing or denigration of lesbianism on learners and 
teachers? How do we support lesbians (lgbti people) in ABE/ESOL -- 
across the spectrum of participants -- students, teachers, tutors, 
volunteers, and administrators? How are these experiences and issues 
similar or different across ABE programs (family literacy, GED, 
immigrant/ESOL programs, library/volunteer, workplace or labor union, 
or community college)? How do lesbian issues intersect with the 
multiple diversities (or oppressions) experienced by women in ABE? How 
can we best address lesbian issues and support lesbians (students and 
educators) within ABE services/programs? We will gather information 
through reviewing the articles and writings (fiction and non-fiction as 
well as academic/research oriented) that currently exist about lesbian 
experience in ABE, surveys to ABE students & educators (via mail & 
Internet), focus group/discussion circles (located in program/regional 
sites), and literacy listserv discussions.

We have pitched this proposal to 2 different funding sources with no 
success (Astraea and Sociological Initiatives). We will try again with 
Astraea this year and are still seeking other sources. If someone has 
an idea or is interested in helping out with this, please contact me 
off list (welearn at litwomen.org).

Thanks
Mev


WE LEARN
Women Expanding: Literacy Education Action Resource Network
www.litwomen.org/welearn.html

Mev Miller, Ed.D., Director
182 Riverside Ave.
Cranston, RI 02910
401-383-4374
welearn at litwomen.org

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