Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/queeringidentities

Introduction

### Course Review: Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity In today's world, understanding the nuances of LGBTQ+ identities and issues has never been more crucial. Coursera’s course, **Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity**, offers a comprehensive exploration of the history, experiences, and activism within the LGBTQ+ community. This course is a valuable opportunity for anyone looking to engage with these important topics, deepen their understanding, and challenge preconceived notions about gender and sexuality. #### Overview The course delves into the rich histories of LGBTQ+ identities, with a focus on global events and local narratives. It provides a space for learners to reflect on how these histories have shaped conversations around civil rights, equality, and justice. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Introduction to Queering Identities** - This introductory module sets the stage by familiarizing students with the instructors and the course structure. It emphasizes the collaborative learning environment that the course encourages. 2. **Terminology and Key Concepts** - In this critical module, participants learn essential terminology that is fundamental to discussions about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. The course recognizes the importance of regional variations in language and invites learners to research and share insights into local LGBTQ+ terminology and its implications on inclusion. 3. **The Fiction of the Gender Binary** - Exploring gender as a social construct, this module challenges students to examine how societal norms shape our understanding of gender. The inclusion of transgender experiences offers a nuanced perspective, empowering learners to consider creative resistance to traditional gender norms. 4. **Sexual Difference?** - Here, the course addresses the construct of sexual identities and questions the presumption that sex is purely biological. By including intersex and transgender experiences, learners are encouraged to adopt a broader understanding of sex as socially constructed and intertwined with cultural contexts. 5. **A Sexual History** - This module expands the conversation around sexuality and its interplay with cultural norms and regulations. Introducing queer theory as an analytical framework, students will engage with their own experiences and those of their communities. 6. **Queering Issues** - In the final module, contemporary LGBTQ+ issues are explored through the lens of queer theory. Topics include inclusivity in public spaces, the intersections of racism and LGBTQ+ identities, and innovative approaches to queer parenting and sex education. This module is particularly relevant, bridging historical insights with pressing modern-day challenges. #### Who Should Take This Course? This course is recommended for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ studies, social justice, and human rights advocacy. Whether you are a student, educator, activist, or simply someone wanting to broaden their understanding, **Queering Identities** provides essential knowledge and critical frameworks to navigate these complex subjects. #### Conclusion **Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity** is not just an academic course; it's a journey towards understanding the diverse tapestry of human experiences related to gender and sexuality. The collaborative learning environment, combined with the rich content and expert instructors, makes this course a highly engaging and transformative experience. In a world where discussions about identity and rights are increasingly important, this course stands out as a vital resource for fostering empathy, understanding, and advocacy. I highly recommend enrolling in this course to enrich your understanding of LGBTQ+ histories and contemporary issues while contributing to meaningful conversations around equality and justice.

Syllabus

Introduction to Queering Identities

Learn and get to know your instructors that will guide you in this course.

This module provides an overview of the terminology and definitions we will be using throughout the course and establishes a plan of action for learning from and with each other as we put the terminology into practice. We will discuss regional and local variations in terminology and language use, and learners will research and identify local applications of LGBTQ+ terminology. Learners will draw on their knowledge to discuss the current state of LGBTQ+ inclusion in their context.

In this module, we explore the concept of gender as a social construct and consider how all of us learn about and reinforce or resist gender norms. We’ll look at some strategies for creative resistance to socially constructed beliefs about gender and also consider the experiences of transgender people as they transition into a new gender identity.

This module extends the exploration of social constructs to consider how sex and sexual identities have been socially constructed. We critically examine the common presumption that sex is biological, or natural. We draw on the experiences of intersex and transgender communities to consider an alternative approach to understanding sex. Then we introduce the idea of sex as a social construct that is intimately tied to, but is distinct from, gender.

This module considers sexuality and sexual identities as social constructs, exploring how cultural norms about sexuality and sexual attraction have been developed and used to regulate human behavior. We introduce queer theory as a framework for analyzing the impact of norms about gender, sex, and sexuality on our lives and communities, and we invite participants to practice applying a queer framework to their own lives and experiences.

In this module, we explore some contemporary LGBTQ+ issues, drawing on queer theory to understand and interpret those issues. This module takes on: The bathroom issue: how to (re)design public restrooms and locker room for transgender inclusion; Racism and whiteness in LGBTQ+ communities; Queer(ing) religion: A history of conflict and reconciliation; Queer parenting: A case study of one queer family; and Queering sex education: An LGBTQ+ inclusive approach to sexuality curricula.