Homophobia in Higher Education: Untold Stories From Black Gay Men in Jamaican Universities

Despite copious media reports and one nationally representative survey acknowledging Jamaica's antigay climate and negative attitudes toward members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, there is still a lack of empirical data examining the experiences of these individuals. In this study, we adopt a phenomenological approach to explore how nine Black gay men experienced and navigated homophobia when they pursued undergraduate studies in Jamaican higher education institutions. Through an analysis of data obtained from semistructured interviews and photo-elicitation sessions, we present our findings in four themes as informed by cultural heterosexism: negative stereotypes, invisibility, attack, and homophobia being ignored or encouraged. Implications for higher education practices and policies in Jamaica to improve the experiences of members of the LGBTQ community, especially gay men, are discussed.