Exploring Feelings of Belonging in Campus Spaces Through the Lens of LGBTQ+ College Students

• In Event: The Roles of Identity, Belonging, and Relationships in Fostering Equitable Experiences in Diverse Learning Contexts

Abstract

Inclusive academic experiences require spaces where students feel they belong, yet not all students develop a sense of belonging equally. Historically marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, face unique challenges in establishing a sense of belonging in a variety of campus environments. The purpose of this study was to examine LGBTQ+ college students’ feelings of belonging. Participants completed questionnaires (N=70), followed by interviews involving a virtual reality tour of select campus spaces (N=13). Results revealed that belonging was positively related to academic engagement and negatively related to perceived stigma. Participants described belonging in terms of acceptance, security, relatedness, and participation. LGBTQ+ safe spaces were frequently linked to a higher sense of belonging. Implications for theory, practice, and methodologies are discussed.

Authors

• Robert Buchanan, University of South Carolina

• Melissa Duffy, University of South Carolina