Narratives of Activism and its Risks Among LGBTQIA International Students

• In Event: Examining LGBTQIA+ student global mobility: Research at the intersection of queer identities in international higher education

Proposal

International students are growing and are an important part of the campus community. LGBTQIA international students face a unique experience studying in the United States due to the potential for discrimination and political hostility aimed at multiple identities. LGBTQIA students face multiple challenges and barriers on campus regarding their identities. Due to the possibility of negative reactions and potential discrimination, LGBTQIA students may decide to not disclose their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (Langan, 2020). Additionally, international students must consider possible societal or legal consequences of engaging in activities surrounding their sexual orientation and/or gender identity or with how they express their identity (Langan, 2020).

Despite these challenges, research shows an increase in LGBTQ youth in activism activity that aims to tear down the systemic hegemonic ideology (Schreuder, 2021). However, unlike domestic students, the stakes are higher for international students in the United States as their student visas can be revoked if they are arrested when participating in protests or other activities. Therefore, LGBTQIA international students in the United States have to take extra precautions in participating in acts of activism to avoid jeopardizing their legal status in the country.

This study examined how LGBTQIA international students engaged in activism within student organizations on their college campuses to support members of their community and other marginalized student communities. Not only are institutions a place of activism, they are also international and recruit students from regions all over the world. Thinking about activism, one often imagines of protests, campaigns, and marches. However, activism can take many different forms. It may include participation in protests, conversations, joining clubs and organizations, or simply being visible.

A qualitative narrative inquiry was conducted with six participants. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling based on the following inclusion criteria: international students studying in the United States on a F-1 student visa, enrolled full-time as either an undergraduate or graduate student at a public postsecondary institution in the United States, and identifying as a member of the LGBTQIA community. Recruitment was conducted through advertised weekly announcements in a higher education institution’s listserv, email requests to international center directors where recruitment was conducted, and a request to share the call for participants sent through the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals research email listserv within Canada and the United States. All interested prospective participants completed a screening form through Qualtrics. Prospective participants who met the inclusion criteria were screened in and asked if they were willing to participate in a 60-minute, audio-recorded interview session.

Respondents expressed a range of feelings from discomfort to avoidance when it comes to engaging with the campus due to their identity as LGBTQIA international students. They explained and how they have responded to, and challenged, acts of discrimination targeting members of the LGBTQIA international student community. They also discussed their objectives such as being mindful of their activities and raising awareness.

Authors

• Andrew S Herridge, The University of Southern Mississippi

• Mi Chelle Leong

• Hugo A Garcia, Texas Tech University