Are Campuses Safe for LGBTQ Students? Queer-Identified College Students’ Perceptions and Lived Experiences on Campus

• In Event: Impact of Institutional Structures, Resources, and Support on Multicultural Educational Experiences

Abstract

This study investigated LGBTQ-identifying students’ experiences at a predominantly white institution in Florida related to campus climate. LGBTQ students experience higher concerns for their emotional and physical safety and challenges related to mental health because of their queer identity. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of LGBTQ-identifying students related to campus climate conducted through semi-structured interviews. Their experiences identified several influences that contribute to student perceptions of campus, including their identity, feeling of safety, faculty and staff interactions, and institutional resources. Understanding LGBTQ students’ experiences provides insights into strategies to enhance their academic success and to better inform best practices for supporting marginalized students.

Authors

• Andrew D. Funari, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Julie Brooke Gleason, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Tabitha Dawes, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University