Gay Black male student perceptions of their experiences in higher education

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20289720

Black male graduation rates are among the lowest in colleges and universities nationwide. The added reality of having a gay identity could present even more of a challenge for Black male students. This qualitative phenomenological research study incorporated a positioned-subject approach in order to describe and analyze the lived experiences of gay Black males who graduated from college. Both social and academic experiences of the students were examined, including how they perceived their campus environment. This study revealed that the participants did not disclose their sexual identity until after their sophomore year in college, and the participants who did disclose their identity found comfort about their sexuality through friendship with Black female friends. Other findings included: participants found that their academic environment did not adversely affect their educational pursuits because of their sexual identity or their race; most of the participants reported that they did not have an issue with being a gay Black male on their respective campuses; and most of the participants reported that if they could do it again, they would reveal their sexual identity sooner.