Gay University Students Research Articles

Gender, sexual diversity and field education: “in rural communities many people do not understand and treat it as a disease"

The present study aimed to discuss issues of gender, sexual diversity, gender diversity and Rural Education. The (auto) biographical narratives were used as the methodological path, and the narrative interview as an instrument of data collection, allowing the interviewees to narrate their life story, placing themselves as protagonists of the investigation process. Thus, we emphasize that the interviewees were two gay university students, who live in the countryside. From the study, the need to problematize the dialogue around issues of gender and sexual diversity in Rural Education was noticeable. It is necessary to break binary schemes around issues that involve sexuality, mature reflections around queer bodies, aiming in fact to know how these issues are addressed in the training processes of rural communities and how much, through these processes, can be done in the sense to contribute to acceptance, I respect the plurality that exists among society, in order to decolonize / deconstruct the rules imposed and taken as standards.

Promoting Safer Sexual Behaviours by Employing Social Cognitive Theory Among Gay University Students: A Pilot Study of A Peer Modelling Programme.

Unsafe and unprotected sexual behaviours are some of the significant challenges of health promotions and planning for current school environment. Although schools and health specialists constantly host conferences and workshops for adolescents and university students, the results are not significant. Particularly for sexual minorities, the heterosexual-oriented materials may not satisfy their needs due to the differences. As a recommendation, the current pilot study established a Peer Modelling Programme which engaged gay social workers and gay university students who have associated with unsafe and unprotected sexual activities. The outcomes of this Peer Modelling Programme indicated that gay undergraduate students tended to accept the recommendations and peer modelling exchanges from their gay social workers who understood their difficulties and sexual needs as sexual minorities based on the guideline of Social Cognitive Theory. In conclusion, this study may be used to develop additional social work materials, sexual health promotions and health plans for sexual minorities and people with special needs in the society. This research serves as a guideline to social workers who care about the issues of LGBT and sexual minorities.

Attitudes and Beliefs About the Acceptability and Justness of Peer Victimization of Lesbian and Gay University Students

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the acceptability and justness of anti-lesbian and gay victimization among 473 undergraduates. Participants were assigned to one of four vignette conditions that described an individual being verbally victimized in a typical college setting. Each vignette varied by victim gender (male; female) and sexual orientation (lesbian/gay; heterosexual). Participants completed background questionnaires and a measure that assessed the acceptability of the actions described in the vignettes. Overall, victimization was rated as unacceptable regardless of the sexual orientation and gender of the victim. However, participants rated the victimization of lesbian and gay students as more harmful and unjust than victimization of heterosexual students. Although the acceptability of anti-lesbian and gay victimization was low, 3%–12% of participants rated anti-lesbian and gay victimization as slightly or completely acceptable and just. Given that victimization is associated with long-term negative outcomes, college administrators should consider interventions aimed at decreasing the acceptability of victimization among students.