Assessing Progress: An Integrated Review of LGBTQ+ Faculty Experiences in Higher Education 2010–2025
Publication type
journal article
Publication date
August 26, 2026
Author(s)
Garcia, Ellen
Hassouneh, Dena
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Language
English
View point(s)
Institutional
Discipline(s)
Abstract
The objective of this review was to synthesize and assess the empirical research about experiences of LGBTQ+ faculty in higher education published between January 2010 and March 2025 to evaluate progress made in addressing research gaps identified in a seminal 2010 review. Researchers have made notable progress by conducting more studies and increasingly using critical theoretical frameworks to examine the experiences of LGBTQ+ faculty. Through our analysis we identified three core themes: (1) Influence of work climate on LGBTQ+ faculty experiences: How institutional environments influence LGBTQ+ faculty well-being and success; (2) Discrimination affects LGBTQ+ faculty work experiences: Persistent homophobia, heterosexism, sexism, and racism impact LGBTQ+ faculty; (3) LGBTQ+ faculty responses: LGBTQ+ faculty use strategies for resilience and advocacy to navigate their work climates. Our findings indicate a greater need for academia and its leaders to value and support research about experiences of LGBTQ+ faculty. We also found that despite DEI initiatives, institutional climates often remain a source of discrimination for LGBTQ+ faculty, suggesting these efforts are symbolic rather than effective. Amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and a backlash against DEI efforts, we underscore the need for organizational leaders to urgently implement meaningful, systemic change.
Part of
Journal of Homosexuality
ISSN
1540-3602