The Lived Experiences of Gender and Sexually Diverse Students at the University of Calgary

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dc.contributor.advisorCallaghan, Tonya
dc.contributor.authorLuo, Cong
dc.contributor.committeememberAukerman, Maren
dc.contributor.committeememberBoz, Umit
dc.date2024-11
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-22T18:41:00Z
dc.date.available2024-08-22T18:41:00Z
dc.date.issued2024-08-16
dc.description.abstractPostsecondary institutions have traditionally served as havens for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex (2SLGBTQI+) students. The University of Calgary (UCalgary) espouses allyship and commitment to diversity on its official website and policy, “UCalgary values and champions diversity, equality and inclusiveness.” However, no research has investigated the well-being of 2SLGBTQI+ students at UCalgary. This study seeks to delve into the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ students at UCalgary, treating them as experts in their own experiences, and advocating for positive changes. This study intends to serve as a useful resource for UCalgary and other higher education stakeholders by providing insights into the opportunities and challenges facing 2SLGBTQI+ students, and solutions to address the issues. By adopting a mixed methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative elements, this research gathered and analyzed 64 survey responses to identify gaps in university services, resources, and programs impacting 2SLGBTQI+ students’ campus experiences. Additionally, I conducted 18 open-ended and semi-structured interviews to explore participants’ perceptions of inclusivity on campus. The findings suggest that UCalgary’s overall performance is satisfactory while pointing to disparities among 2SLGBTQI+ students, with some thriving socially and academically while others encounter barriers and struggles. Despite rare instances of overt transphobic or homophobic abuse, microaggressions and subtle forms of discrimination persist within and outside of classrooms. Gender and sexually diverse students express a desire for UCalgary to enhance its policies and practices to support their community, fostering a safer and more inclusive learning and teaching environment for all.
dc.identifier.citationLuo, C. (2024). The lived experiences of gender and sexually diverse students at the University of Calgary (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/119447
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectqueer students
dc.subjecthigher education
dc.subjectmixed methods
dc.subjectinclusivity
dc.subjectUCalgary
dc.subject.classificationEducation
dc.titleThe Lived Experiences of Gender and Sexually Diverse Students at the University of Calgary
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEducation Graduate Program – Educational Research
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts (MA)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.
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