Sexual and gender minority university students in the wake of COVID-19: Unique risks and opportunities for intervention

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a critical period of development as individuals explore their identities and embark on developmental trajectories. Emerging adulthood may be an especially important period for sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals as they explore, learn, and seek out communities related to their sexuality and gender identity. College is a unique setting in which SGM students may have access to physical and mental healthcare, secure food and housing, and affirming spaces and community related to their identity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted or ended many of the services and resources provided by colleges and universities, potentially exacerbating challenges faced by sexual and gender minority students. This article provides recommendations for colleges and universities to improve access to and mitigate potentially negative outcomes among SGM students during and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

• advocacy
• COVID-19
• policy recommendations
• sexual and gender minority

Authors contributrion

Tracy Hipp, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, 318 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152-3230, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States. IRB approval was not required as this article does not describe a study.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.

Notes

1 Trans* is a broad term meant to refer to person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond to that person’s assigned sex at birth, or which does not otherwise conform to conventional notions of sex and gender.