Resources, Social Networks, and Collective Action Frames of College Students Who Join the Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement

Abstract

This article explores the reasons why some college students join the gay and lesbian rights movements. After addressing the frequency of students joining this social movement, the article then considers the contexts and motivations behind such actions. To explore the catalysts to gay and lesbian rights activism, this study utilizes variables from resource, mobilizing, and framing theories of political participation. Using data from 820 heterosexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual students, we found that economic and educational resources failed to explain participation in gay and lesbian politics. Instead, predictors of gay and lesbian activism were more closely aligned to four key variables: the political orientations of trusted peers, knowing full-fledged activists, an ability to recognize heterosexism, and participants' maintenance of activist identities.

Keywords:

• activism
• collective behavior
• homosexuality
• gay rights
• political participation
• social movements
• social identity

Notes

1. Research schools: University of Delaware, University of Oregon, University of Texas; Doctoral: University of North Carolina-Greensboro, University of Mass-Lowell, Rutgers University; Masters: Longwood College, University of Southern Maine, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Baccalaureate: Evergreen State College, Mesa State College, Southeast Arkansas College.

2. Clearly, this response rate was not high or random. Professors who never read e-mail automatically removed themselves from the sample and the willingness to distribute the surveys was not constant throughout the different sorts of schools and disciplines. Around 2% of the research professors distributed surveys, while 13% professors at masters granting universities did so. Likewise, less than 1% of chemistry, biology, and physics professors assisted in this project, while professors in political science, sociology, and social work were most receptive to our requests (11%).

3. Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, and Michaels' (1994) study of sexual behavior, attitudes, and practices found that participants were far more willing to discuss intimate matters related to sexuality than they were to openly discuss income, indicating that income may be one of the single greatest taboos in American culture.