Updated March 2025
LGBTQ+ students in higher education face unique challenges. The community includes various sexual orientations, gender identities, and backgrounds, resulting in different forms of mistreatment that impact their educational access and success.
Understanding these challenges is crucial for advisors, administrators, and educators to better support LGBTQ+ students, helping them thrive and fostering a more welcoming world.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
As of 2023, LGBTQ+ students are facing an increasingly hostile legal and social climate. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws are emerging in several states, targeting community engagement, censoring LGBTQ+ discussions, restricting sports participation, and banning critical healthcare for transgender students.
UNIQUE NEEDS OF LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
LGBTQ+ students are more likely to face harassment, mental health issues, and financial challenges compared to their peers. They report mistreatment on campus, higher debt (averaging $14,769 more), and poorer mental health outcomes. About 22% move away from their hometown to find more welcoming college environments, compared to just 5% of non-LGBTQ+ students.WHY IT MATTERS
LGBTQ+ students' sense of belonging is lower (71.9%) than that of their peers (83.5%), which impacts their academic success. Fostering a welcoming campus is vital for their retention and well-being.
"In a cultural moment when LGBTQ+ identity is being policed, silenced, and erased in education, it's important to have LGBTQ+ voices in higher education." - Robyn, Point Scholar
HOW TO SUPPORT LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
1. Support Access to Resources: Direct students to alternative support from organizations like Point Foundation or use the Everywhere Is Queer app to find LGBTQ+ friendly spaces.
2. Work Within Your Context: Encourage visibility and support through LGBTQ+ staff groups and mentorship roles. Even in states with restricted services, find creative ways to help LGBTQ+ students. For more guidance, see Point’s resource Navigating Anti-LGBTQ Environments as a Higher Education Professional.
3. Know Students' Rights: Educate students about their rights using resources from GLSEN, Lambda Legal, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
4. Create Safe Spaces: Build a supportive environment by displaying LGBTQ+ symbols and participating in safe space training.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CAMPUS CLIMATE
1. Better Policies: Explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity in school policies.
2. Promote Leadership: Encourage LGBTQ+ and allied students to take on leadership roles and engage in creating welcoming spaces.
3. Hire LGBTQ+ Specialized Mental Health Professionals: Ensure mental health support is available from professionals trained to address LGBTQ+-specific issues.
CONCLUSION
As postsecondary resources decline, the role of educators and administrators in supporting LGBTQ+ students is more crucial than ever. By creating welcoming environments, providing resources, and being visible allies, we can help these students thrive and build a better future for all.