Where the women aren't: Gender differences in the use of LGBT resources on college campuses

L Westbrook - Journal of LGBT Youth, 2009 - Taylor & Francis
Journal of LGBT Youth, 2009Taylor & Francis
LGBT campus resources are vital for many LGBT college students' wellbeing and academic
success. In this article, I explore what factors may cause different groups under the LGBT
umbrella to be included in or excluded from use of LGBT campus resources. I examine
patterns of participation at two college campuses: one where women wanted access to
LGBT resources, but did not use the existing ones on campus or produce their own, and
another with a high level of participation of women in the LGBT campus community. Drawing …
LGBT campus resources are vital for many LGBT college students’ wellbeing and academic success. In this article, I explore what factors may cause different groups under the LGBT umbrella to be included in or excluded from use of LGBT campus resources. I examine patterns of participation at two college campuses: one where women wanted access to LGBT resources, but did not use the existing ones on campus or produce their own, and another with a high level of participation of women in the LGBT campus community. Drawing on in-depth interviews of 30 students and staff members, I show that two factors previously unexamined in the literature on LGBT college students produced the gender gaps in participation: (1) disparities in student group membership related to gender-blind organizing and (2) differential leadership development caused by a combination of patrimonialism and friendly-fire sexism. Based on these findings, I offer several strategies for reducing gender gaps in production and use of LGBT college resources.
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