Stress, Challenges, Discrimination and Sense-Making Processes of Gay University Students: The Social Stigma Approach

Abstract

On 24th May 2019, the same-sex marriage law took effect, which allowed same-sex couples to marry in Taiwan. About two years after the same-sex marriage law took effect in the community, only a few studies focused on the stress, challenges, discrimination, and sense-making processes of sexual minorities in Taiwan, particularly in the rural communities. Based on the social stigma theory and case study methodology, the researcher collected qualitative data from 16 gay university students who are currently enrolled at one of the Taiwanese universities in rural communities. The results indicated that support of the university administrators, support in the classroom environments, and support in dormitories and roommates were the main findings. The results of this study would fill the research and practical gaps in the fields of same-sex marriage, LGBT rights, and sexual minorities, for the government leaders, non-profit organisations, school administrators, and scholars in the Taiwanese environment.