Date of Graduation

Spring 5-19-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Rights Education (HRE)

College/School

School of Education

Department/Program

International and Multicultural Education (IME)

First Advisor

David Donahue

Abstract

This thesis examines the experiences of fat queer students of color in education, and how their experiences were impacted through interactions with educators as they navigated education with their intersectional identities. Through qualitative narrative based research, three participants were interviewed, and their experiences were examined and analyzed based on these conversations. This research aims to expand and fill in the gaps of knowledge in the field of education that surround the experiences of fat queer students of color. Even more specifically, how anti-fat biases impact these other intersecting identities, and how educators have the ability to hold and act on these biases whether cognizant of it or not. From this research, there were patterns of positive and negative experiences that each participant described through their stories, and how those experiences impacted them as individuals, and how it impacted their education. The negative experiences included anti-fat biases, classroom callouts, and seemingly implicit biases. The positive experiences included empathetic experiences from educators, and fat people loving and supporting other fat people. The hope of this research is to bring insight to these important stories and to reimagine educational practices to support these students through their educational journey.

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