At the Intersection

Abstract

LGBTQIA+ international students in the U.S. have been considerably understudied, only recently gaining attention from scholars, indicating large knowledge gaps exist surrounding students studying beyond their home countries and holding multiple intersecting identities. Practitioners have limited awareness and guidance when supporting this population of students. In this chapter, the authors identify critical areas of intervention, investigating specifically those international students originating from non-Western locations, with particular emphasis on the MENA region and Muslim-majority countries, and who also identify within the broad spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities. This chapter details specific frameworks for student support and concludes with tailored recommendations focused on individuality, collaboration across campus departments, and adopting a position of non-assumption when working directly with international students in a higher education setting.