Homophobia in Higher Education: Untold Stories From Black Gay Men in Jamaica

• In Event: Amplifying the Voices of Men of Color

Abstract

This phenomenological study documents the experiences of ten Black gay men on higher education campuses across Jamaica. Data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation sessions. The study adopted Herek’s (1990) notion of cultural heterosexism and Hardiman and Jackson’s (1997) social oppression framework to underpin the study’s research design. The findings reveal that the participants experienced harassment, and lack of institutional support because of their sexual orientation, which impacted their academic experiences and progress to degree completion. The findings have important implications for inclusion policies and practices in higher education..

Authors

• Mario Jackson, North Carolina State University

• Stella Jackman-Ryan, North Carolina State University

• Victor Cadilla, North Carolina State University

• Gage Matthews, North Carolina State University