Mixed Feelings

National Coming Out Day at a Mercy University in the Red State of Iowa

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LGBTQ Mount Mercy

How should we celebrate National Coming Out Day in 2023 in the red state of Iowa? This was a key question at the most recent meeting of Mount Mercy University’s Faculty and Staff GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance). Let’s start with logistics: we’re marking National Coming Out Day after fall break because the actual day, … Read more

My Queer Joy

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Mary Vermillion and Benjamin Thiel

When I taught LGBTQ+ Literature this past fall, many students were so locked in on queer oppression and trauma that they overlooked queer hope and joy. Their negative focus was partly because of the pandemic and political climate, but also because of my text choices and teaching strategies. So I wrote a post about the … Read more

Teaching LGBTQ+ Literature During the Pandemic

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books taught in LGBTQ Lit

During the pandemic, students focused on queer trauma, but next time, I plan to ensure that they also explore queer joy.