Abstract

Research suggests that heterosexism on college campuses increase sexual minority students’ risks for health and mental and physical health problems; , ; however, its relationship with academic outcomes remains under studied. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between experiences of mistreatment (personal and ambient heterosexist harassment) and perceptions of campus climate (LGB acceptance, safe space, ability to be open), and school avoidance, social acceptance, and satisfaction with the university. Data were extracted from a cross-sectional study of campus climate conducted at a large research university in the Midwest. The analytical sample consists of sexual minority respondents (n  =345; Age: M=23.18, SD=5.21; 67.3% female; 76.5% White). Multivariate linear regression assessed both personal and ambient heterosexist, and perceived campus climate for LGB people on academic outcomes. Personal heterosexist harassment significantly predicted school avoidance (p < .05) and perceived ability for LGB students to be open significantly predicted social acceptance on campus (p < .001) and satisfaction with the university (p < .01). These findings suggest that various mechanisms of heterosexism on campus can have differential relationships to sexual minority college students’ success in school. Implications for practitioners and policymakers in supporting sexual minority student success and future research in this area are discussed.