Students encounter homophobic remarks far less frequently in class than out of class. Occasionally slurs and offensive humor occur. GLB students' experience is less relevant to their personal needs, plans, and goals than reported by heterosexual students. The lesbian and gay subcultures tend to be somewhat separate and different. Most GLB students are at some phase of the coming out process when they attend the university.
Males confront ongoing harassment and discrimination.
Meeting other GLB students is important during the coming out process. Students report a lack of faculty role models. Students fear being disowned, cut off financially, or pulled out of college. College offers a degree of freedom from the pressures of narrow high school norms. At some point GLB students try to be visible because they believe this leads to greater tolerance and acceptance.