Campus Climates for Sexual Minorities

Sexual-minority students1 on college or university campuses encounter unique challenges because of how they are perceived and treated as a result of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The challenges faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students can prevent them from achieving their full academic potential or participating fully in campus communities. Similarly, other LGBT faculty, staff, and administrators can suffer as a result of the same prejudices, which can limit their ability to achieve their career goals or to mentor or support students. This chapter examines current campus climates for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students and employees in institutions of higher education. Campus climate is defined here as the cumulative attitudes, behaviors, and standards of employees and students concerning access for, inclusion of, and level of respect for individual and group needs, abilities, and potential.