Belonging Among LGBTQ+ Students at Hope College

At Christian Colleges and Universities (CCUs), studies estimate that approximately 12% of a given college's student population identifies as LGBTQ+ (REAP, 2021). Unfortunately, research literature also indicates that LGBTQ+ college students experience significant challenges, including, but not limited to, discrimination from peers and staff, alienation from the wider campus environment, and inhospitable housing conditions (REAP, 2021; Rankin et al. 2019; Kortegast, 2017; Craig et al. 2017; Wolff et al. 2016, Christie, 2021). Academic research on LGBTQ+ students at CCUs is somewhat limited, even more so research that uses a qualitative orientation, attempting to gain in-depth insights into LGBTQ+ students' experiences. This current study involved a sample of seven LGBTQ+ Hope College students, who participated in six weeks of focus groups and documentary photography, using a participatory action method of research called photovoice. The photovoice method enables participants to record and reflect upon their personal and community strengths and concerns, promote critical dialogue through group discussions, and influence policymakers through data. This study aimed to understand how LGBTQ+ students at one CCU experience belonging, and the lack thereof, within the campus community.