Gender and Sexual Minority Student Perceptions of Safety in University Settings

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored current perceptions of the personal safety of gender and sexual minority (GSM) college students in college campus settings through the application of queer theory. By collecting the personal experiences, perspectives, and feelings of GSM college students, the study identified coherent themes and suggested actions to promote successful on-campus GSM interactions, raise awareness of GSM perceptions of what are safe and unsafe conditions, and improve diversity and inclusion efforts accordingly. The study attempted to show GSM college students perceive safety on campus by interpreting the experiences and perspectives that shaped the participants' sense of safety awareness and determining the feelings evoked by different campus and near-campus locations and attributes. Based on data collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, digital image submissions, and elicitation interviews, this study concluded that the participants started their understanding of GSM safety by recognizing that being a GSM individual was an inherently negative and undesirable condition. Still these understandings developed as the participants gained positive safety experiences with many of them coming out because of the perceived safety of the college setting. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. First, GSM college students grow their respective understandings of GSM safety and adjust their proximity to GSM safety. Second, GSM college students are aware of many unsafe sources, ranging from expected prejudices and microaggressions to new contentions, arising from the expansion of the gender and sexuality spectrum. Third, GSM college students’ safety perceptions and experiences influence one another. An additional point of interest appeared regarding the perceived onus of GSM safety based on traditional and non-traditional student types.