Primary Submission Category: LGBTQ+
A Youth-Led Participatory Action Research Approach to Examining Safety and Allyship towards LGBTQ+ Youth Populations
Authors:Â Francesco Osso, Maria Rosario, Starr Acosta, Ethan Amaya, Lindsay Till Hoyt,
Presenting Author: Francesco Osso*
LGBTQ+ youth safety and allyship remain critical social and developmental issues, especially in private, religiously affiliated schools (Stewart et al., 2015). Traditional research overlooks perspectives of LGBTQ+ populations, dismissing their voices and their needs. Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) offers a transformative approach to LGBTQ+ research and advocacy, empowering youth to shape their communities (Ozer, 2017). This study aims to (1) examine attitudes toward LGBTQ+ inclusivity in a private, religious, all-boys school in NYC and (2) develop an action plan to address key issues.
In total, 303 students (Mage = 16.03, SD=1.08) completed an online survey, including open-ended questions on LGBTQ+ allyship and safety. Most students identified as heterosexual (94.2%) and cisgender men (96.1%), with 70.5% identifying as Hispanic/Latine or Black/African American. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted, with coding through an iterative, refined process involving high school and college co-investigators.
Two overarching safety themes emerged: Environmental Awareness and Identity & Self-Affirmation. Students display confidence in their sexuality with assurance of their heterosexuality while also recognizing aspects of the environment that could impact peer safety. Five overarching allyship themes emerged: Hostility Towards Community, Neutrality Through Community Separation, Transparent Alignment with Community, Connection between Self & Others, and Contradictory Justifications. While some students expressed allyship, many held misconceptions of allyship fueling divisive opinions on LGBTQ+ populations.
Findings reinforced persistent, harmful attitudes towards LGBTQ+ populations’ well-being. In response, we designed Students Together for Acceptance, Respect, and Support (STARS). STARS will provide LGBTQ+ youth and allies with mentorship, education, and community-building opportunities, supporting those lacking resources in their NYC schools or neighborhoods.