This study explored lesbian identity development and the relationship between
Oregon State University campus climate as reported by 35 lesbian students. Identity
development was measured by using Cass's (1984b) Stage Allocation Measure (SAM)
which is a self-select tool for determining stage of lesbian identity development. The
SAM was then used to create a three stage identity development model. Herek's (1986)
Sexual Orientation Survey (SOS) was used to examine the campus climate as experienced
by lesbian students.
Findings showed that 63% of the participants felt it was important to disclose
their sexual orientation to members of OSU's campus. Yet, 69% of the respondents did
not feel comfortable doing so. Also, 51% of the respondents reported fearing for their
safety, and because of this, 47% of all respondents modified their behavior. The results of
this study indicate there are additional factors that contribute to these findings. For
example, 89% of the participants reported hearing disparaging remarks; 94% felt the
possibility of harassment, violence or physical attacks was likely; and 91% believed
discrimination and unequal treatment towards lesbian, gay or bisexual persons at OSU
was very likely. These findings were reported by equal numbers of individuals in each
stage of their identity development.
The results of this study indicate that lesbian students at OSU suffer from similar
negative experiences as students who attended Emory University (1987), Pennsylvania
State University (1987), Rutgers University (1987) and Yale University (1986) where the
SOS was also used to measure campus climate.
Recommendations for changes at Oregon State were creation of a "safe zone"
and programs for retention of lesbian students, increasing visibility of the President's
Commission on Hate Related Activities, and making the OSU community a safe place for
women administrators and faculty role models to come out. Additional research was also
recommended to examine the OSU campus climate as experienced by gay male students
and lesbian and gay faculty members. / Graduation date: 1998
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/33660 |
| Date | 24 November 1997 |
| Creators | Repp, Betty Jean |
| Contributors | Trow, Jo Anne J. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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