A recent Surrey study has found that students who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are facing immense challenges in post-secondary, including not feeling safe in classes and having more mental health concerns.
Researchers from Kwantlen Polytechnic University conducted the study and concluded that many queer students have "unmet needs and challenges that they're facing," criminology instructor Tara Lyons said in a press release.
“They’re reporting feeling less welcome and less safe in classes, having more mental health concerns, a higher level of food insecurity and much more.”
“We’re finding that these challenges are even more complex among different demographics, such as international students, students with disabilities, BIPOC students and students in the trades.”
Through these findings, researchers suggest that 2SLGBTQIA+ need more and better access to community building, while also making recommendations to post-secondary institutions to foster these changes and improvements.
“We want to hear directly from students to get recommendations on how to make their experiences better,” said Liam Ruel, a student at KPU who was involved in the study.
“I think there’s this idea that a lot of work has been done and a lot of progress has been made, but it’s important to highlight the fact that students are still facing a lot of barriers that need to be addressed.”
The study did not only involve KPU students but those at six additional post-secondary institutions, including British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver Community College, Capilano University, Douglas College, Langara College and University of the Fraser Valley.
“Our early findings have revealed many students were having trouble finding a community and feeling a sense of belonging on campus,” Lyons said, adding that this could also be because KPU students and those in some other post-secondary schools commute to school rather than live on campus.
A recommendation from the study is to create a safe space or group for students on campus, with KPU Pride being a successful example of one.
“The importance of finding community and having queer and trans friends was something that came up consistently in our focus groups,” said another student involved in the study, Camille Bédard.
“So we wanted to create a space where 2SLGBTQIA+ students can connect with peers who understand their experience.”
Although the study is complete, plans to expand upon it are in the works. The research team will conduct focus groups and surveys from the students at the seven total schools and analyze the data to then present the findings in the upcoming spring season, the release notes.
“We want to share the information as broadly as possible and hopefully have it impact not only KPU but other post-secondary institutions as well,” Lyons said.
