Queer decisions? Gay male students’ university choices

Abstract

This article examines the reported influences on the university choices of 17 gay male undergraduate students attending a UK institution. It is argued that this process is strongly mediated by, and, therefore, has to be considered in relation to, class. Data analysis provides insight into the factors gay students say are important in selecting universities, how (non‐hetero)sexuality intersects with and impacts upon this decision making, and the ways in which these choices map onto and differ from those of non‐gay students. The influences of participants’ sexuality on their university choices are most evident in selecting an institution requiring a migration away from heterosexist and homophobic home communities, and/or a migration towards locales expected to be supportive and accepting of alternate (i.e. non‐hetero)sexualities. Participants’ nuanced accounts of these journeys and geographies indicate their university choices to be reflexive and strategic processes which may (or may not) be queered.