Queer-Spectrum Students’ “Coming Out” Decisions: An Input-Environment-Outcomes Model Developed From a Multi-Institution National Study

• In Event: Roundtable Session 78
  In Roundtable Session: Coming Out and Being Out in Schools

Abstract

“Coming out” for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals is a continuing task that must be enacted in every new social context. For many LGB students, their undergraduate experience is often the place where they disclose their sexuality and come out. Few studies seek to understand environments that are central to an LGB person’s sexuality development and coming out process. Combining Astin’s (1991) Input-Environment-Outcome (I-E-O) model with the human development perspective (Baltes, 1987; Lerner, 1991) for its conceptual framework, and using data from a large national LGB project, the purpose of this study is to add understanding of what influences the coming out decision among LGB undergraduate students. Specifically, what student inputs and college environments influence the coming out decision?

Authors

• Jason C. Garvey, University of Maryland

• Susan Rankin, The Pennsylvania State University