TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Midwestern misfits: bullying experienced by perceived sexual and gender minority youth in the Midwestern United States
JO  - Youth and society
A1  - Marshall, S. Alexandra
A1  - Allison, M. Kathryn
SP  - 318
EP  - 338
VL  - 51
IS  - 3
N2  - Perceived sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience more bullying in schools than their heteronormative peers. The social ecological model offers a framework for exploring the phenomenon of homophobic bullying. This study aimed to describe experiences of victimized youth. Using critical qualitative inquiry, youth (N = 16) of ages 15 to 20 who self-identified as having been bullied for being perceived to be SGM and who resided in a Midwestern state in the United States were interviewed in-person or online. Thematic analysis revealed that gender nonconformity was a common factor in being bullied. Subthemes are as follows: the sociocultural context shapes school climate; victimized youth felt a perception of being seen as deviant; and, victimized youth react to victimization differently. <br><br>FINDINGS indicate that bullying for gender nonconformity is a sociocultural issue. Improving the school climate for gender nonconforming youth is still needed. Implementing supportive programs and protective policies at the broader socioecological levels can help.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0044-118X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0044118X17697885
ID  - ref1
ER  -