Not Necessarily Unsafe, but Vulnerable: Perceptions of Safety and Harassment among LGBT Students at a Rural University

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth are often at an increased risk for bullying victimization, discrimination, family difficulties, and mental health issues during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Given the effects of strain on the health and well-being of LGBT students, and the potential buffering effect of aspects of university life, the present study examines perceptions of safety and harassment among LGBT students at a rural university in the southern United States. Drawing on semi-structured in-depth interviews with a diverse group of self-identified LGBT students, we identify commonalities and key differences in students’ perceptions of safety and harassment on campus