Homophobias at school. A complex theoretical framework

Abstract

This article aims to problematize a socially abused term – homophobia – by explaining the plural forms of discrimination that make it up: heterosexism, gayphobia, lesbophobia, biphobia and genderism. To achieve this objective, the scientific literature on the subject is analyzed in order to obtain a sort of minimum lexicon that can guide those who have to design educational interventions to combat homophobia. Thus, it emerges the existence of a complex homophobic device that produces cultural imperialism and violence (symbolic, institutional, verbal, physical, etc.) and which outlines, at the same time, the educational needs of LGBT+ students. The Italian pedagogy has begun to take charge of these needs, in a school that is struggling to fulfill its mission of democratic inclusion.