Are They Safe?: Perceptions of Safety of LGBTQ+ Individuals on College Campuses

• In Event: Fear of Crime: Considering Gender and Identity

Abstract

Members of the LGBTQ+ community are frequently subjected to stigmatization and violence related to their identity. According to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics, in 2015 nearly 20 percent of reported hate crimes were committed against members of the LGBTQ+ community, and there is fear amongst the LGBTQ+ community that the current political environment may lead to a greater number of hate crimes. Through the use of qualitative interviews, this research examines the attitudes of college students, faculty, and staff regarding the LGBTQ+ community, including the perception of safety on college campuses. Following the approach of Meyer (2008), we also examine the significance of intersectionality in perceptions of risk against LGBTQ+ individuals, especially the influence of race, class and gender identity.

Authors

• Jennifer Rhiannon Scroggins, Montana State University Billings

• Robert Keeton, Pellissippi State Community College