2026-10-07T03:18:48Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/32637945 2026-10-01T16:48:02Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

The experiences of LGBT+ students in rural Institutes of Technology in Ireland. John McGarvey (24167916) PUREID: 518412955 LGBT+ queer heteronormative cisnormative higher education student experiences lgbt society rural photography photo elicitation The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, (LGBT+) students in higher education in Ireland has been under researched. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the experiences of LGBT+ students who are studying in the rural HEIs in Ireland. This study employed semi structured interviews and photo-elicitation to capture the experiences of LGBT+ students. Queer theory, intersectionality and campus climate formed the theoretical framework for this study. <br><br>LGBT+ students recounted cisheteronormative experiences in their rural secondary schools with little or no visibility of LGBT+ identities. The complex and nuanced experiences of LGBT+ students in their HEIs varied with no inclusion of LGBT+ identities in many courses. LGBT+ students attending rural HEIs specified the few opportunities they had to access LGBT+ resources such as the LGBT+ Society due to transportation and financial constraints which impacts on their ability to participate as sexual citizens. LGBT+ Societies play an important role in the lives of LGBT+ students as they provide the visibility and support often absent from their rural HEIs. LGBT+ Societies in rural HEIs mean more to LGBT+ students due to the lack of LGBT+ resources and events in their geographical area. Pink and Purple Training offered LGBT+ students who attend rural HEIs often with the first opportunity to participate as full sexual citizens while offering training and workshops on the varied experiences of LGBT+ identities. The complex and nuanced experiences of trans and gender diverse students highlighted the cisnormative student records systems and the cisnormativity that permeates policies and spaces in rural HEIs. Participants discussed their coping strategies for managing their mental health which included multiple photographs of how their pets offered non-judgemental support to them. <br><br>This research has highlighted the lack of visibility and limited support LGBT+ students experienced in their rural HEIs. The few supports which were resourced by students included the LGBT+ Society and events such as Pink and Purple Training which presented the few opportunities for LGBT+ students to participate as sexual citizens. This study has found that LGBT+ students experienced a culture of cisheteronormativity in their rural HEIs and that the considerable challenge for the future of rural HEIs is in the dismantling of this culture. <br><br><br> 2026-10-01T16:48:02Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32637945.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/The_experiences_of_LGBT_students_in_rural_Institutes_of_Technology_in_Ireland_/32637945 All Rights Reserved