Queers in the Classroom: The Role of Sexual Identity in the Academic Experiences of Gay Male Graduate Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18192/riss-ijhs.v3i2.1341Keywords:
Gay males, sexual identity, graduate school, graduate students, academic experienceAbstract
The experiences of three self-identified gay male graduate students were explored to understand the role that sexual orientation played within their academic lives. Through semi-structured interviews, the participants were able to share their experiences of being a gay male graduate students and the effects on their educational experience. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Three main themes emerged: a) choosing to disclose sexual identity within the academic setting; b) challenges encountered when interacting with classmates; and c) benefits of being a gay male graduate student. Findings suggest that managing and expressing one’s sexual identity are important processes that interact with several aspects of the life of gay male graduate students.
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Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Swank, E., & Raiz, S. (2010). Attitudes toward gays and lesbians among undergraduate social work students. Journal of Women and Social Work, 25 (1), 19-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886109909356058
van Heugten, K. (2004). Managing insider research: Learning from experience. Qualitative Social Work, 3 (2), 203- 219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1473325004043386
Charmaz, K. (2006). Coding in grounded theory practice. In K. Charmaz, Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis (pp. 42-71). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Chur-Hansen, A. (2004). Experience of being gay, lesbian or bisexual at an Australian medical school: A qualitative study. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 8 (3), 281-291. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1360311032000160607
Cotten-Huston, A.L., & Waite, B.M. (2000). Antihomosexual attitudes in college students: Predictors and classroom involvement. Journal of Homosexuality, 38 (3), 117-133. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J082v38n03_07
Crouch, M. & McKenzie, H. (2006). The logic of small samples in interview-based qualitative research. Social Science Information, 45, 483-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0539018406069584
D’Augelli, A.R. (1992). Lesbian and gay male undergraduates’ experiences of harassment and fear on campus. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 7 (3), 383-395. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/088626092007003007
Herek, G. (1993). Documenting prejudice against lesbians and gay men on campus. Journal of Homosexuality, 25 (4), 15-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J082v25n04_02
Jewell, L.M., & Morrison, M.A. (2010). “But there’s a million jokes about everybody...”: Prevalence of, and reasons for, directing negative behaviours toward gay men on a Canadian university campus. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25 (11), 2094-2112. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260509354499
Korfhage, B.A. (2006). Psychology graduate students’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Journal of Homosexuality, 51 (4), 145-159. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J082v51n04_08
Lambert, E.G., Ventura, L.A., Hall, D.E., & Cluse-Tolar, T. (2006). College students’ views on gay and lesbian issues: Does education make a difference? Journal of Homosexuality, 50 (4), 1-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J082v50n04_01
Longerbeam, S.D., Inkelas, K.K., Johnson, D.R., & Lee, Z.S. (2007). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual college student experiences: An exploratory study. Journal of College Student Development, 48 (2), 215-230. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2007.0017
Lopez, G., & Chism, N. (1993). Classroom concerns of gay and lesbian students: The invisible minority. College Teaching, 41 (3), 97-103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/87567555.1993.9926788
MacDougall, C., & Fudge, E. (2001). Planning and recruiting the sample for focus groups and in-depth interviews. Qualitative Health Research, 11, 117-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/104973201129118975
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2011). Managing, analyzing, and interpreting data. In C. Marshall & G. B. Rossman, Designing Qualitative Research (5th Edition) (pp. 205- 227). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Maxwell, J. A. (1998). Designing a qualitative study. In L. Bickman & D. J. Rog (Eds.), Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods (pp.69-100). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Newman, B. S., Dannenfelser, P. L., & Benishek, L. (2002). Assessing beginning social work and counselling students’ acceptance of lesbians and gay men. Journal of Social Work Education, 38 (2), 273-288.
Rainey, S., & Trusty, J. (2007). Attitudes of Master’s level- counselling students toward gay men and lesbians. Counselling and Values, 52, 12-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.2007.tb00084.x
Rankin, S. A. (2005). Campus climates for sexual minorities. New Directions for Student Services, 111, 17-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ss.170
Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. S. (1995). Assembling the parts: Structuring a qualitative Interview. In Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data (pp. 145-167). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Stevens Jr., R. A. (2004). Understanding gay identity development within the college environment. Journal of College Student Development, 45 (2), 185-206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2004.0028
Stotzer, R. L. (2009). Straight allies: Supportive attitudes toward lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in a college sample. Sex Roles, 60, 67-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-008-9508-1
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Swank, E., & Raiz, S. (2010). Attitudes toward gays and lesbians among undergraduate social work students. Journal of Women and Social Work, 25 (1), 19-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886109909356058
van Heugten, K. (2004). Managing insider research: Learning from experience. Qualitative Social Work, 3 (2), 203- 219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1473325004043386
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2013-11-01
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