Identifier
etd-04102017-144057
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
For a vast majority of Americans, religion is an integral part of life. In fact, 10:30am on Sundays is considered the most holy time in the United States as most persons have just left, are currently attending, or are on their way to their various places of worship. Believing in organized religion comes with challenges, as religion has often been the basis and justification for discriminatory practices. These challenges can cause emotional tension, especially to those who identify with teachings that religions have traditionally condemned. This document sought to determine if religion matters to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) student collegiate experiences at private, faith-based institutions and, if it did, was it more prevalent than at public, liberal arts institutions. Using the phenomenological approach and narrative interviews along with a document analysis as data collection methods, eight (8) participants from two southern Louisiana institutions gave insight into their collegiate experiences as LGBT and identifying with an organized religion. Interviews were transcribed and categorized thematically and then compared to school anti-discrimination policies to determine if the policy was relevant in context to, and functional with, the LGBT student experience. Final analysis and results and implications for collegiate leaders are presented as suggestions for more inclusive campus environments.
Date
2017
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Skidmore, Shalonda Michelle, "Private vs. Public: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Experiences and the Influence of Anti-discrimination Policies With Respect to Religion" (2017). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 4425.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/4425
Committee Chair
Varner, Kenny
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.4425