Navigating Anti-LGBTQ Environments as a Higher Education Professional

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Last updated Oct. 2023

In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued decisions that gutted protections for BIPOC individuals against barriers build by racist structures in colleges and universities, terminated an attempt at debt alleviation for people currently repaying student loans, and created a precedent for legal discrimination by private businesses against LGBTQ people. More than 16 states passed laws placing restrictions on LGBTQ students’ rights in schools, colleges, and universities.

Changes include new restrictions on federal or state funding to support diversity equity and inclusion offices or staff at public colleges. Examples include prohibiting schools from requiring diversity training, using diversity statements in hiring and promotion, or using identity-based preferences in hiring and admissions, according to the U.S. News.

Beyond the effects on LGBTQ students’ safety and success, this distressing reversal of equality and inclusion programming in education profoundly affects LGBTQ and allied higher education professionals who are striving for equity at their schools.

The Unknown

Anti-LGBTQ and other hate legislation has left educators and administrators in a state of uncertainty about the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in higher education in many states.

Despite the unknowns, there are still steps higher ed professionals can take to be proactive.

How to Support Diversity and Inclusion in Uncertain Times

1. Stay informed about changing educational policies and practices.

• Diversify your information sources; think beyond higher education publications and consider subscribing to Diverse Issues in Higher Ed, Out Magazine, Them.us, NBC Out, the Advocate, and more.

• Keep track of changes in DEI law. The Chronicle of Higher Education has a DEI Legislation Tracker.

• Attend meetings of your institution’s faculty senate and board of trustees or regents. These meetings are often open to the university community and offer insight into how leaders are navigating the political landscape.

2. Work within your context.

• In a school or state that restricts LGBTQ or DEI services?

  • You are not alone. Some local and state laws directly prohibit schools from offering classes and services with LGBTQ or DEI-related content; however, the national anti-LGBTQ climate is having a chilling effect on LGBTQ inclusion even in states without restrictive legislation. Under pressure from state legislatures and university leaders, faculty and staff have been strongly encouraged to change the names of classes and academic departments that reference DEI content. Some staff have found themselves with changed titles and job descriptions or have felt their jobs are in danger of elimination. Seeing anti-LGBTQ sentiment impact our workplaces and professional communities is frightening and disillusioning. But there are still ways you can support students and create affirming community on campus.

  • Explore the support and resources offered by national organizations. Many organizations aren’t bound by the state laws affecting educational institutions and will continue to generate resources, provide funding, and offer support for students, faculty, and staff. In need of informational pamphlets, but your school can’t print them out? Direct students or staff to national websites. Seeking funding for LGBTQ student success? Find organizations that provide scholarships or grants to support their success.

  • Support student communities, formal and informal. Whether your students are in an official LGBTQ student org or an unofficial or off-campus organization, they need your help! Simply letting students know that you are an ally or a member of the LGBTQ community will strengthen their network of safe touchpoints on campus. It is also important to know your school’s policies to ensure that you and your students are not penalized for discussing LGBTQ issues on campus. Make sure to discuss relevant policies with students who seek your advice regarding protests or other student actions on campus.

• Not in a state that restricts LGBTQ and DEI services?

  • Make your LGBTQ community accessible to students outside of your school or state. Whether you offer campus resource guides for students, inclusive teaching practices for educators and administrators, or online meetings and events, broadcast that material on your website, your social media, and elsewhere. This will help people find help and information if LGBTQ and DEI resources are cut off at their institutions.

  • Educate your colleagues about the issues. Consider sharing research and best practices for supporting LGBTQ students (such as these from Point) at conferences and in forums for higher ed staff and faculty. While your experience and your institutional context are local, your insight is relevant to people across the nation! Sharing your learnings and experiences will help to ensure the continued flow of information despite censorship at the state or institutional level.

  • REMINDER: Even if titles have changed and programs have disappeared, the people who are invested in creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment are still there.
    
    

3. Build coalitions.

• Focus on shared commitment to student well-being to strengthen relationships with your coworkers. Define your shared goals for your students, focusing on outcomes and your vision of student success rather than political policy. By collaborating with your peers, even if you don’t see eye-to-eye when it comes to politics, you can build a coalition of change and growth within your department or school.

  • Reach out to local faculty organizations such as the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). You can find your local Chapter on AAUP’s website.

    • In thinking about reaching new faculty and possible allies find places where your peers discuss common causes like listservs, facebook groups, etc.

  • Mentor and build leaders from within these coalitions who can get into change-making positions.

4. Join professional organizations advancing equity.

• With an ever-changing landscape, too much emphasis cannot be placed on connecting with professional organizations committed to the success of underrepresented students in higher education. Groups to consider joining include:

  • The Consortium of Higher Education LGBTQ Resource Professionals

  • The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education

  • The American Association of Blacks in Higher Education

5. Advocate for change outside of campus. Voting, grass-roots activism and volunteering for national organizations can help both support communities with the difficulties students and staff face today, while also building a better, more equitable future. Review your ballots ahead of time, find your local LGBTQ and BIPOC community centers, and give to national organizations fighting for equality in schools nationwide.

Ways to Support Your Students
Mental Health & Advocacy

LGBTQ students reported lower self-esteem and sense of belonging than non-LGBTQ peers, even before the recent surge in anti-LGBTQ attacks on educational institutions.

In 2021, 67% of LGBTQ students surveyed by the Proud & Thriving Project felt lonely or isolated, and 55% expressed feelings of hopelessness, compared to 49% and 35% of non-LGBTQ students, respectively. In four-year institutions, students are twice as likely to report unfair treatment from administrators and staff, and three times more likely to experience poor mental health, according to our research with the Williams Institute.

Mental health issues can be exacerbated by the elimination or contraction of support services on campus like LGBTQ centers and classes.

“We’ve seen it in the news and we’ve experienced it in our reality every day: attacks against our community have gone from online spaces and now we’re seeing it more than ever in legislation in physical confrontations, and verbal confrontation and even just attacks against companies who joining celebrating pride, for example. That is just a call for people to take action and stand up.” - Jose Gamboa (he/him), Point Alum

You may see increased student advocacy and action on campus. Support the students fighting for equity. Find out how to lend your support to students in Point’s guide to Working with LGBTQ Student Advocates.

Responding to Microaggressions in the Classroom

You may experience an increase of micro- and macroaggressions from students, staff or administrators on campus in response to recent legislation and media coverage. In these cases, it’s important to use intervention strategies that bring students into conversation and challenge their ideas.

The following resources can help facilitate these conversations:

• Responding to Microaggressions in the Classroom worksheet - Texas Tech.

• Responding to Microaggressions in the Classroom: Taking ACTION - Faculty Focus.

• Calling in Classroom Conflict - Ohio State.

• Pedagogical Approaches to Student Racial Conflict in the Classroom - Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.

Reflect

While navigating this difficult time, remember to create space for thoughtful reflection. Ask yourself:

• What does it mean to you to be a good educator and colleague?
• What action are you comfortable taking? How do your socio-economic privileges factor into your comfort levels?
• How do your priorities have to change? What does that look like in your position?
• How can you communicate your support to students?