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Abstract
It is vital for LGBTQIA+ people to have safe spaces where they can explore or express their queer identity. Since college is often the first place where people can explore their identity
away from previous influences, it is important to promote a positive campus experience for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The goal of this study is to answer the question: How does space and
place influence queer experiences on a college campus?
While most research focuses on the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ students, there is scant research investigating the experiences of LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff. Given campus is
their workplace and a place where they should be able to comfortably express their queer identity, this line of investigation is important to understand. Through focus groups, I found themes which all fit into queer geography and the importance of inclusivity on campus. This project expands queer geography’s original purpose to examine how space and place influence the queer experiences of faculty, staff, and students to create a more inclusive college campus. Findings show that college campuses need to be viewed as their own institution, with external factors, such as the political climate of their specific location, to effectively create an inclusive college campus for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff. They further indicate the need for LGBTQIA+ inclusive college campuses to create positive queer experiences on college campuses.