Queer Students' of Color Sense of Inclusion inside Community College Classrooms

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Queer Students' of Color Sense of Inclusion inside Community College Classrooms
Language: English
Authors: Niraj Wagh
Source: Community College Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 49(6):385-403.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Two Year Colleges
Descriptors: LGBTQ People, Minority Group Students, Community College Students, Inclusion, Sense of Belonging, Curriculum, Social Isolation, Social Bias, Racism, Student Experience, Teacher Student Relationship, Student Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Florida
DOI: 10.1080/10668926.2023.2287012
ISSN: 1066-8926
1521-0413
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe queer students' of color (QSOCs) sense of inclusion inside community college (CC) classrooms. This study was conducted using qualitative methods and utilized narrative inquiry as its research design. Data from 29 semi-structured individual interviews (17 initial interviews and 12 follow-up interviews) serve as the primary data source. After conducting thematic analysis, four themes emerged from the data: (1) Visibility, (2) Affirmation of Identity, (3) Importance of Curriculum, and (4) Isolation and Discrimination. The findings indicate that supportive structures and having relatable and inclusive curricular content are imperative to QSOCs' sense of inclusion and that there are many ways in which QSOCs feel alienated in their classrooms. These findings indicate that there are many experiences inside CC classrooms in which QSOCs feel a strong sense of inclusion, but there are also many experiences that reduce QSOCs' sense of inclusion. The primary implications of this study to higher education will help faculty, staff, and administrators in CCs create inclusive environments inside their classrooms so that their QSOCs feel visible, safe, and accepted for who they are and the multiple identities that they embody.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1508478
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The purpose of this paper is to describe queer students' of color (QSOCs) sense of inclusion inside community college (CC) classrooms. This study was conducted using qualitative methods and utilized narrative inquiry as its research design. Data from 29 semi-structured individual interviews (17 initial interviews and 12 follow-up interviews) serve as the primary data source. After conducting thematic analysis, four themes emerged from the data: (1) Visibility, (2) Affirmation of Identity, (3) Importance of Curriculum, and (4) Isolation and Discrimination. The findings indicate that supportive structures and having relatable and inclusive curricular content are imperative to QSOCs' sense of inclusion and that there are many ways in which QSOCs feel alienated in their classrooms. These findings indicate that there are many experiences inside CC classrooms in which QSOCs feel a strong sense of inclusion, but there are also many experiences that reduce QSOCs' sense of inclusion. The primary implications of this study to higher education will help faculty, staff, and administrators in CCs create inclusive environments inside their classrooms so that their QSOCs feel visible, safe, and accepted for who they are and the multiple identities that they embody.
ISSN:1066-8926
1521-0413
DOI:10.1080/10668926.2023.2287012