Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations Educational Foundations & Leadership Spring 2021 Narratives from Appalachia: The Current Stories of LGBTQ Community College Students Todd A. Cimino-Johnson Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/efl_etds Part of the Community College Leadership Commons, Educational Sociology Commons, Higher Education Commons, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons Recommended Citation Cimino-Johnson, Todd A.. "Narratives from Appalachia: The Current Stories of LGBTQ Community College Students" (2021). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, Educational Foundations & Leadership, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/39n0-0s43 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/efl_etds/257 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Educational Foundations & Leadership at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. NARRATIVES FROM APPALACHIA: THE CURRENT STORIES OF LGBTQ COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS by Todd A. Cimino-Johnson B.S. May 2005, Shepherd University M.B.A. December 2006, Shepherd University M.A. August 2017, American Public University A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERSHIP OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY May 2021 Approved by: Mitchell R. Williams (Director) Robert J. Lynch (Member) Laura E. Smithers (Member) ABSTRACT NARRATIVES FROM APPALACHIA: THE CURRENT STORIES OF LGBTQ COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS Todd A. Cimino-Johnson Old Dominion University, 2021 Director: Dr. Mitchell R. Williams LGBTQ students are ubiquitous on community college campuses across the United States. The exact number of LGBTQ students is unknown and often their needs are ignored. LGBTQ students face harassment and discrimination at higher rates than other minority groups. This study was conducted to gather the current narratives of LGBTQ students attending community colleges in the Appalachian Region. This study aimed to determine what LGBTQ students are experiencing on community college campuses across Appalachia. Fifteen students took part in a one-on-one semi-structured interview for this qualitative study. All students were currently enrolled in a program of study when the interviews took place. The research paradigm utilized was social constructivism, and Queer Theory was the basis of the conceptual framework. This study used narrative coding with the Labovian Model of Analysis. Composite narratives were written, and pseudonyms used to create anonymity for the participants. The findings of this study indicated students encounter microaggressions in the classroom and in other places around a community college. Nevertheless, the campus is often perceived to be a cultural bubble by students and is perceived as safer than the nearest town or city. Participants stated that the religious views of other students often impact the lives of LGBTQ students. Additionally, participants mentioned politics and how it affected their lives as community college students. There were several implications for action which resulted from the findings of this study. Recommendations include creating campus policies toward inclusivity, offering on-campus Safe Zone training for all faculty and staff, offering students an LGBTQ club or organization to provide students with a safe space and a sense of belonging at the college, providing more LGBTQ resources for faculty and staff, and asking faculty to include LGBTQ individuals in course readings and other materials. Keywords: LGBTQ, community college, Appalachia, Queer Theory, Safe Zone iii Copyright, 2021, by Todd A. Cimino-Johnson, All Rights Reserved. iv This dissertation is dedicated to those who never had a chance to live their full lives as an out LGBTQ+ person. Some of their names are Matthew Shepard, Tyler Clemnti, Angie Zapata, Jamey Rodemeyer, and Steen Fenrich. Also, the victims of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub massacre and hundreds of transgender victims that are killed every year. You are never forgotten. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It takes a village to accomplish anything in this world. Whether we know it or not, we cannot accomplish significant feats without the help and guidance of those around us, including family, friends, and even strangers. My biggest supporter is my husband, Tony. He has been there for me through this whole process. There have been many days and nights he had without me, but he supported and cheered me on. I owe him more than I could ever repay for the support he has shown me during these past couple of years. Dr. Williams has been one of the best advisors I could have found. He was always there to answer a question, even when I told him it could wait. He guided this process in such a way that it seemed very easy, almost too easy. When I first met him during the first summer institute, I instantly knew I wanted him as my advisor/chair. Thanks to my committee members, Dr. Williams, Dr. Smithers, and Dr. Lynch, who gave me great feedback and made this dissertation stronger. Your words of encouragement and advice helped bring this all together. Dr. Glass, Dr. Gregory, Dr. Rhodes, Dr. Burnett, Dr. Lynch, Dr. Ayers, Dr. Bol, Dr. Pribesh, Dr. Yen, and Dr. Commodore, thank you for all you have taught me during the time in the community college leadership program. I am glad that I chose ODU, and you made this program so much better. Go Monarchs! Cohort 16 is like no other group of people I have met before. Chiquita, Samantha, Page, Dana, Brandon, Rick, Chuck, Laura, Robin, and Tillie were all instrumental in getting me to the finish line. We relied on one another through this process, and whenever we reached out, someone was always there to help. I hope other Ph.D. programs have such a caring cohort as I found in all of you. Thank you for being there, and I look forward to our future friendships. vi Thank you to each of the interviewees who took time away from their day to interview with me. It can be challenging to share stories about being LGBTQ. Each person was brave enough to answer my survey and give me honest answers. My family and friends have not seen much of me since I started this journey. Thank each of you for sticking by me and know that it means a lot to me for your support and words of encouragement during this time. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... xii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Study ..................................................................................................... 2 Conceptual Framework ....................................................................................................... 4 Purpose Statement ............................................................................................................... 5 Research Question ............................................................................................................... 5 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 6 Campus Climate .................................................................................................................. 7 Appalachian Community Colleges ...................................................................................... 8 Overview of Methodology .................................................................................................. 8 Researcher Positionality .................................................................................................... 10 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................... 11 Definition of Key Terms ................................................................................................... 11 Chapter Summary .............................................................................................................. 17 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................... 19 Method of the Literature Review ...................................................................................... 20 Statistics on LGBTQ Individuals ...................................................................................... 21 Gaps in the Literature on LGBTQ Community College Students .................................... 24 Historical Perspective ........................................................................................................ 26 First Studies of LGBTQ College Students ........................................................................ 26 First Studies of LGBTQ Community College Students .................................................... 27 Queer Theory ..................................................................................................................... 28 Definition of Queer Theory ..............................................................................................