Queers in the Classroom: The Role of Sexual Identity in the Academic Experiences of Gay Male Graduate Students
<div class="page" title="Page 19"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>The experiences of three self-identified gay male graduate students were explored to understand the role that sexual orientation played within their academic lives. Through semi-structured interviews, the participants were able to share their experiences of being a gay male graduate students and the effects on their educational experience. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Three main themes emerged: a) choosing to disclose sexual identity within the academic set- ting; b) challenges encountered when interacting with classmates; and c) benefits of being a gay male graduate student. Findings suggest that manag- </span><span>ing and expressing one’s sexual identity are important processes that inter- </span><span>act with several aspects of the life of gay male graduate students</span><span>. </span></p></div></div></div>