Vivências homofóbicas de professores homossexuais em seus ambientes de trabalho.

Abstract

This work tries to analyze the experiences of homosexual teachers before homophobic actions in their work environments. Therefore, we ascertained the possible obstacles encountered by teachers to assume the homosexuality in their educational contexts, as well as to identify the reactions and feelings theirs on these cases of homophobia, seeking to investigate whether homophobic experiences are interfering in professional self-fulfillment. Based on the principles of descriptive research, with an emphasis on quantitative and qualitative approach, this work developed a dialogue between the results and theoretical studies that address the theme in question. The collection instrument was a questionnaire of twenty-two questions applied with twenty homosexual teachers from public schools (Primary, Secondary and Higher education), in the cities of Sousa and Cajazeiras, located in the Dry Backlands of Paraíba state. Among the main results, we found that homophobia is present in the work environment of the investigated teachers, but they manage to overcome it somehow. It was noted that to assume the homosexuality is not an easy task, once the subjects behave silencing the sexual orientation in school environment, despite not feel excluded. Homophobic experiences do not interfere in the professional self-realization of the investigated teachers, and do not obstruct their personal and professional experiences. However, it is evident the need for a more favorable problematization about school homophobia, since the absence of these speeches might be the cause of stigmatization suffered by these educators. We conclude that the acceptance of the family and of school is essential to contribute in the decrement of discrimination and prejudice against the homosexual teachers inserted in these environments.