The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 46, No. 3 - 105

Experiences of LGBTQ+ Housing Professionals

is being paid to the experiences of transgender
and nonbinary members of campus (Garvey,
Chang, Nicolazzo, & Jackson, 2018; Jourian,
Simmons, & Devaney, 2015). Nuances may
exist that impact the professional lives of transgender and nonbinary staff that are tied more
closely to gender identity and gender expression rather than sexual orientation.

REFERENCES

Comparing the professional journeys,
successes, and challenges experienced by
LGBTQ+ professionals who live on campus
and those who live off campus would contribute additional further research. These experiences could help live-in LGBTQ+ professionals
successfully transition to live-off positions,
highlighting what they could expect to gain
or miss by advancing into positions without
live-in requirements.

Beemyn, G. (2019). Trans people in higher education.
Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

CONCLUSION
In a profession focused on providing affirming residential environments for college students, this study places a crucial spotlight on
the experiences of the LGBTQ+ professionals
in housing and residence life who play pivotal
roles every day in creating the experiences that
shape these realities for students. These participants shared their experiences, challenges,
and stories in order to encourage colleagues,
departments, and institutional leaders to adopt
changes for the support, recruitment, and retention of LGBTQ+ professionals in housing
and residence life. This study also serves to
encourage researchers to continue excavating
the experiences of LGBTQ+ professionals who
serve as sources of strength, support, and advocacy through their commitments to making
campus housing more inclusive for all.

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