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Get That Freak

Homophobia and Transphobia in High Schools

Bullying in schools has garnered significant attention recently, but despite this, little has been said about the occurrence of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Canadian high schools. Get That Freak fills that gap by exploring the experiences of bullying among youth who identify or are identified as queer. Through interviews with recent high school graduates in British Columbia, Haskell and Burtch share stories of physical, verbal and emotional harassment, and offer important insights into the negative outcomes that result from the experience of being bullied. Challenging the familiar image of these youth as helpless victims, this book also recognizes positive outcomes: moments of resistance, friendship and inner strength. Finally, the authors make recommendations for challenging homophobic and transphobic bullying in high schools and supporting students who experience this form of harassment.

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About the book

Bullying in schools has garnered significant attention recently, but despite this, little has been said about the occurrence of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Canadian high schools. Get That Freak fills that gap by exploring the experiences of bullying among youth who identify or are identified as queer. Through interviews with recent high school graduates in British Columbia, Haskell and Burtch share stories of physical, verbal and emotional harassment, and offer important insights into the negative outcomes that result from the experience of being bullied. Challenging the familiar image of these youth as helpless victims, this book also recognizes positive outcomes: moments of resistance, friendship and inner strength. Finally, the authors make recommendations for challenging homophobic and transphobic bullying in high schools and supporting students who experience this form of harassment.

Education Feminism, Gender & Sexuality

Authors

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Brian Burtch

Dr. Brian Burtch is a Professor in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. He is also an associate member in the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at SFU, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Justice Studies at the University of Regina. His books include Trials of Labour: The Re-emergence of Midwifery (1994), The Sociology of Law (2003), and the third edition of Law in Society: Canadian Readings (2010), co-edited with Dr. Nick Larsen.

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Rebecca Haskell

Rebecca Haskell is a Queer feminist and trans ally. She holds a Masters degree in Criminology from Simon Fraser University. Rebecca is currently employed by the BC Society of Transition Houses working to reduce barriers to support for women who experience violence and who have varying levels of mental wellness and substance use.