Exploring the lived experiences of rural LGBTQ + youth: Navigating identity and authenticity within school and community contexts

Abstract

Research with rural LGBTQ + youth suggests their experiences of stigma and victimization, as well as related health concerns, may be greater than that of urban LGBTQ + youth. Regional differences may also affect their experiences, yet we lack research on the nuanced contextual factors affecting LGBTQ + youth in the rural Midwest. This study examined the lived experiences pertaining to community and school environments among LGBTQ + youth in rural Minnesota (N = 7). Specifically, we aimed to understand how youth navigated their gender and sexual identities, including authenticity, within these contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with LGBTQ + youth and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings include three themes: (1) school-related hostility and challenges; (2) community intolerance affecting personal authenticity; and (3) affirming environments, support, and authenticity. The findings indicate rural LGBTQ + youth in Minnesota have difficulty accessing inclusive resources and navigating rural environments; also highlighting the resiliency of youth and their ability to identify people and spaces that provided opportunities to practice authenticity and wholeness.

Keywords:

• Diversity
• homophobia
• qualitative methods
• victimization
• youth
• youth development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research and age of the participants, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Notes

1 LGBTQ+ These letters are used in combination collectively to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other members of a marginalized, non-heteronormative conforming population. Research referenced in this paper examines different combinations of these individual groups. Thus, different combinations of letters are used throughout.