Improving Experiences of LGBT High School Students: Comparison of Two Chicago Public Schools Student Cohorts

• In Event: 090 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 06. The Production of Sexualities in High School

Abstract

LGBT students in America continue to be an invisible minority (Lee, 2002). Despite political and social improvements, the LGBT community continues to face challenges in various social settings. The purpose for this qualitative research project was not only to shed light on the struggles of LGBT students but also to fully understand how the experience of LGBT students has changed over time. By interviewing two separate cohorts of Chicago Public School graduates, we found that the younger cohort had a positive experience overall in their high school. Due to political and social movements, the younger cohort felt more accepted in their classrooms, was supported from the school staff, dealt with less harassment and had access to LGBT youth programs. The older cohort, on the other hand, experienced rather hostile environments which were primarily linked to educator’s promotion and enforcement of gender roles in the classroom.

Authors

• Emily Vela, University of Illinois-Chicago

• Melissa Barboza, Chicago Law and Education Foundation