THE EXPERIENCES OF GAY AND LESBIAN COLLEGE ATHLETES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of gay and lesbian college student athletes. Participants of the study were given an opportunity to share their stories about their lived experiences on college campuses as gay or lesbian student athletes. The primary research question explored was, What are the experiences of gay and lesbian college student athletes on college campuses? Other questions that guided this study included, What impact does self-disclosing as gay or lesbian have on student athletes’ sport participation? How does the larger campus environment impact gay and lesbian student athletes’ overall collegiate experiences? Furthermore, this research extended the body of knowledge relating to gay and lesbian students’ experiences on college campuses and hopefully will inform institutional policy, especially as it relates to persistence and graduation.