Survey of Lesbigay Professionals in International Education

By Kathleen Sideli

 Since the SIG had received some inquiries from glbt professionals in the field of international education about what type of information we could provide them on our web site, we decided to survey our members about the environment in which they work. In February we polled circulated an on-line survey to everyone who subscribes to our listserve, Rainbow, and the response was encouraging.

While the group is somewhat divided over the climate at their institutions regarding glbt employees, the numbers are not as discouraging as one might have expected. A majority (60%) agreed that their institutions show favoritism towards heterosexual employees. However, half of the group (50%) also felt that their institutions were aware of the needs of glbt employees and 55% were of the opinion that their institutions were not only sensitive to the values of glbt employees but that they treated employees of all sexual orientations equally.

It was encouraging to learn that our members, for the most part, have not found themselves in a hostile environment a result of their sexual orientation. A large majority (68%) have not heard offensive stories, jokes or remarks about glbt employees. Nor have the majority (68%) had a negative experience motivated by being glbt. On the other hand, 62% were aware of incidents motivated by another’s sexual orientation.

3/4 of those who responded to the survey were glbt (a number of allies responded as well). It is encouraging that our glbt colleagues provided overwhelmingly positive information about their ability to be open about themselves in their offices. In fact 82% are out to some degree in their work environment and the same percentage of individuals are treated equally in their offices despite their sexual orientation. On the other hand, only 53% are out to students.

The majority of respondents (62%) are from public institutions with 27% from private and 9% from other agencies. There seems little correlation between the responses, and the size or nature of the institution.

Glbt individuals who wonder about the climate surrounding sexual orientation in the field of international education can infer from the results of this survey that most of our glbt colleagues are comfortable being out in their office environments. On the other hand, they are more cautious with revealing their sexual orientation to students. Our respondents’ personal comments reveal their attitudes about this. As far as our institutions go, US colleges, universities and academic agencies have made great strides in recognizing the rights and needs of non-heterosexual professionals but there is still room for improvement. For the most part, institutions of higher education are not environments where blatant targeting of glbt employees is taking place.

The actual survey questions and breakdown of responses, the bibliography suggested and a list of recommendations and comments directed to glbt professionals in our field are available at http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/lesbigay/survey1.htm.

Special thanks to Scott King for sharing survey questions with us and thanks to everyone who responded to our survey.