The conceptualization of resources for lesbian student-athletes to promote inclusive environments in division I institutions

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of the phenomenological study was to understand how lesbian student-athletes experience academic and sport environments at a Division I institution in the Southeast region of the United States. Due to the dearth tamount of research that captures the lesbian student-athlete experience in higher education, the research explored current lesbian Division I student-athletes’ experiences of support and strategies used to persist in both environments. Additionally, the research sought to gain resource recommendations from participants to make environments continuously and/or growingly inclusive. Seven participants who attend a Division I institution were interviewed using a semi-structured interview process. Using a phenomenological lens, interviews were hand-coded and thematic analysis pinpointed two themes: (1) Support and (2) Survival Strategies. While experiences of the participants varied, a consensus among the participants calls for increased support from campus and athletic departments. Implications for practice, resource recommendations, and implications for future research will be addressed.