Background: In 1998, San Francisco State University admitted its first class in its newly established Master of Public Health Program. The diversity of its students is unique; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender-identified students comprise the majority. Additionally, a majority are women and people of color. Purpose: This presentation will report on a qualitative assessment of attitudes and perceptions of students and faculty in this program about confronting the social and political realities of being an LGBT majority. It will further assess the impact of these demographics on the content, conduct, and experience of this program, and will identify difficulties encountered and successes achieved in addressing LGBT issues within the academic environment. Method: Utilizing ethnographic techniques to enable participants to "tell their stories," this study explores the experiences and perceptions of LGBT students and faculty as "minorities" who are in the majority, analyzing their language as text, shared beliefs and values, points of conflict, and constructions of "out-ness." Results: These findings describe how perceptions of sexual identity politics have influenced interactions and have resulted in conflicts between participants' private and professional identities, and highlight power issues related to the construction of identity and the real and perceived risks of being professionally "out"--even in the "comfortable" environment of San Francisco. Conclusions: Despite challenges encountered in this program in balancing power and engaging in problem solving, these experiences have the potential to demonstrate a novel paradigm that may provide insights to other academic programs to stimulate incorporation of LGBT concerns.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify and analyze power issues and problem-solving techniques utilized in a LGBT-majority MPH program 2. Identify and evaluate alternative approaches for increasing the empowerment and substantive participation of LGBT students in the educational process 3. Identify and evaluate options for increasing the sensitivity of academic curricula to LGBT health concerns
Keywords: Gay, Public Health Curricula
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Not Applicable
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.