ORCID

0000-0001-6060-6213

Keywords

School Counseling, LGBTQ+ Young Adults, Legislation, Florida, Minority Stress Theory, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

As of 2020, the US is home to an estimated over nine percent of youth 13-17 who identify as LGBTQ+ (Conron, 2020). There are hundreds of bills that have been passed into laws that restrict rights for LGBTQ+ individuals (Union, Mapping attacks on LGBTQ rights in US state legislatures in 2024, 2024). With risk factors specific to youth and with legislation altering the operation of schools, there is concern regarding the effect of such laws on students (Day, 2019). This dissertation provides an overview of how LGBTQ+ youth in schools have experienced the implementation of laws that emerged between 2022 and 2024. Laws affecting LGBTQ+ youth in schools between 2022 and 2024 are explained as well as the ethical obligation for school counselors to provide accessible support for all students. This study was conducted within a framework of Minority Stress Theory to evaluate stressors of young adults related to gender or sexual orientation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the meaning-making of LGBTQ+ young adults who attended public high school in Florida between 2022 and 2024 and have participated in individual interviews to engage in this study. Participants were found to have experienced stress consistent with Minority Stress including feelings of being unsafe and experiencing a lack of belonging. In addition to stress, there was support from peers, family, and educators. The most significant result was the motivation young adults gained from these experiences to become civically engaged in their communities and advocates for younger LGBTQ+ students. Implications for school counselors is the necessity for more support for students and systemic implications related to the need for additional school counselors to meet student needs.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Joe, J. Richelle

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Community Innovation and Education

Department

Counselor Education and Supervision

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029711

Document Type

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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