Coming Out of the Dark: Black Gay Men’s Experiences at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

• In Event: Black Men in College: Implications for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Beyond

Abstract

Very little research, to date, focuses on the experiences of Black gay men who attend historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This chapter breaks new ground on this very topic by drawing upon data from a multi-year, multi-institutional qualitative research project that examines the experiences of gay men of color in various campus contexts. Specifically, the chapter identifies four major challenges that Black gay men face at HBCUs (homophobia/harassment, invisibility/marginalization, lack of family support, identification issues), as well as offers recommendations for educational policies and practices that hold promise for enabling their academic success in college.

Author

• Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, The Ohio State University