“No Fats, No Fems, No Asians”: How Gay Asian American Male College Students Understand Sexual Identity

Abstract

Higher education professionals have relied on a growing body of student development literature to inform their practice. However, there is an underrepresentation within scholarly research that incorporates the voices of students that have historically been outside of the focus on scholarly research, namely gay Asian American male college students. Moreover, much of the literature tends to separate and not take into account the complex and intersecting identities of students, especially sexual identity. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how gay Asian American male college students at Southern California higher education institutions understand their sexual identity through the lens of complex, intersectional identity development. From interviews with participants, multiple and often contentious influences, such as family, society, college and social media, have shaped the gay Asian American male college student experience in understanding their sexual identity. With this study, the cycle of invisibility, misconceptions and ignorance towards this student population will hopefully diminish. Implications and recommendations for educational policy, practice and future research are provided.