Out on Campus: Sexual Orientation and Academic Climate in a University Context

摘要: Although lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students often “come out” in university settings, empirical studies have demonstrated that these environments are hostile toward them. The current paper posits such contexts adversely affect their educational experiences. Results from a survey of stratified random sample 1,927 undergraduate graduate on scale measuring perceptions academic climate (General Campus Climate) supported this claim: LGB had more negative variety campus factors. In addition, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Climate found were likely than heterosexuals to perceive the as inhospitable people. Women racial ethnic minorities also rate hostile. Finally, data two scales attitudes believed influence yielded gender, racial/ethnic, religious, sexual orientation differences theoretically meaningful directions. indicate experience ways heterosexual students, certain communities— particularly women racial/ethnic minorities—are aware negativity contribute it less because relatively progay attitudes. Implications for how improve students' experiences discussed.