The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 36, No. 2 - 27

Homonegativity and Residence Hall Climate Perceptions

study, save that, as outward expressions of homophobia have become more and more taboo socially, heterosexism and forms of homonegativity have begun to replace homophobia (Steffens, 2005). Homonegativity refers to

The overall impact upon students living in residence halls is profound in several areas, including involvement and satisfaction; persistence and graduation; personal growth and development; and strengthening of values, attitudes, and moral judgment . On-campus living status has been shown to be consistently related to increases in students’ likelihood to be involved and engaged in the social, cultural, and extracurricular realm of the institution .

There have been several overarching studies regarding LGBT college students, including studies on the impact of heterosexism/homophobia on students (Burn et al., 2005; D’Augelli, 1992; D’Augelli & Rose, 1990; Horne, Rice, & Israel, 2004; Liang & Alimo, 2005; Simoni, 1996), attitudes of non-LGBT students toward their LGBT peers (Engstrom & Sedlacek, 1997; Hinrichs & Rosenberg, 2002; Steffens, 2005), and the campus climate towards LGBT students (Brown, Clarke, Gortmaker, & Robinson-Keilig, 2004; D’Emilio, 1990; Evans, 2002; Evans & Herriot, 2004; Malaney, Williams, & Geller, 1997; Wallace, 2000). However, little has been published regarding LGBT students and residence hall climates specifically (D’Augelli, 1989; Evans & Broido, 1999, 2002; Robison, 1998; Sanford & Engstrom, 1995). Hughes (1994) established that there is a strong sense of separation in residence halls between the heterosexual population and the LGBT population, which makes it very difficult for LGBT students to be treated fairly, without prejudice from stereotyping, mental illness claims, and religious beliefs. Evans and Wall (1991) listed five main issues that LGBT students face in residence hall living: coming out, lack of privacy, roommates, lack of activities, and dealing with harassment. There is substantial literature documenting that LGBT students frequently find the college or university campus unwelcoming or even hostile (Brown et al., 2004; D’Augelli, 1992; Malaney et al., 1997; Rankin, 2003), but there is little about the specific environment of residence halls. Because residential students spend a significant amount of time in their residence halls, it is important to understand
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prejudice against or negative attitudes about LGBT individuals (Hudson & Ricketts, 1980). Homonegativity is considered to have cognitive, affective, and behavioral components (Hudson & Ricketts; Roderick, McCammon, Long, & Allred, 1998). The term was originally coined to move away from the notion of “phobia” or fear-based attitudes to a term that more accurately captures the phenomenon.

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The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 36, No. 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 36, No. 2
