The first book of its kind internationally, Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools explores the experiences of bisexual students, mixed sexual orientation families, and polyamorous families in schools. For the first time, a book foregrounds the voices and experiences of these students and families who are "falling into the gaps" or on the borders of a school's gay/straight divide in anti-homophobia policies and programs, and schools recognizing families as meaning either heterosexual couples, or, increasingly, homosexual couples. Drawing from interviews and online research with students, parents, and teachers, as well as providing a comprehensive overview and analysis of international educational and health research, and media/popular cultural texts, this book addresses the following: · what are the problematic and/or empowering experiences and strategies of bisexual students, multisexual and polyamorous families in educational systems ? · what could schools be doing to promote healthy sexual, emotional and social relationships for bisexual students and multisexual/polyamorous families in school communities? · what recommendations/implementations do bisexual students and multisexual/polyamorous families suggest in regard to school curriculum, school policies, and student welfare in order to acknowledge and support family diversity in school communities? In particular, the research findings which are reported in this book show that "border sexualities" and "border families" use three types of strategies: · passing or normalization and assimilation in school settings; · bordering or negotiation and navigation between the private world of home and public world of school; and · polluting or non-compliance and resistance, thereby outing their sexualities and families within the school world. Within a social deconstructionist, multicultural, post-colonial, feminist, queer theoretical framework, this book spans health, education, sociology, psychology, gender, family, sexuality and cultural studies.

"Sexual identity is a hot topic today, with the national debates over the "don't ask, don't tell" military policy and same-sex marriage, and the increasing numbers of university programs in queer studies. Pallotta-Chiarolli (Deakin Univ. Melbourne, Australia) asks readers to set aside a bifurcated view of sexual identity (gay/straight) and consider the lives of those who are bisexual and/or are involved in committed polyamorous relationships....Recommended." - CHOICE

"Pallotta-Chiarolli seeks in Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools to show us how bi students and poly family members need educators’ attention and compassion as well....Pallotta-Chiarolli has set herself an ambitious task, and she rises to the occasion again and again....Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools is a compelling study of overlooked students. Moreover, it functions as an academic and an activist text, calling attention to the needs of bi students and those from alternative family structures, while also showing us ways to address their concerns and, in the process, making education truly more accessible, more enlightened and more humane." - Journal of Bisexuality

"Border Sexualities, Border Families in Schools is a timely publication, given the recent press attention given to teenage suicides as a direct result of homophobic bullying-mistreatment by their peers relating to perceived or actual sexual orientation….The book is a first of its kind, and as such, takes great pains to do background work and to share first hand experience by students and their parents." - Bi Women Magazine At Biwomenboston.Org.Au

"Pallota-Chiarolli describes her aims in writing this book as, ‘broadening, interrogating and adding to ongoing debates and activism regarding sexual diversity and relationship diversity’. She does so in a passionate, yet well-documented manner." - Sex Education:Sexuality, Society and Learning