The Enduring Significance of Higher Education for Civic Engagement: The Black LGBT Experience

Employing a national dataset and multivariate statistical techniques, this paper addresses the impact of education, community, identity, and key demographic variables on civic engagement among Black LGBT people (N=1349). Data were collected during the Social Justice Sexuality Project (a survey that measures the experiences of LGBT people of color) and analyzed against theories of civic engagement. Findings showed (1) a robust link between higher education and civic engagement for Black LGBT people; (2) both connectedness to LGBT communities and outness impact civic engagement in racial organizations; and (3) Black LGBT men are more likely than women to civically engage in racial organizations. The findings are discussed with attention to future research as well as the role of students, researchers, and activists in ensuring the civic engagement of Black people, LGBT people, and the intersection of the two.