Publication Date

Fall 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Counselor Education

Advisor

Zachary McNiece; Aubrey Uresti; Taylor Fugere-Sousa

Abstract

Queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other gender and sexual identities) folx have become a major focal point during political elections. As political climates have projected forced attacks towards queer populations, society has followed suit. Investigation on the impacts of such changes towards queer folx is important to uncover, as sociopolitical climates have shifted within the last 10 years in the US. The present study utilizes a phenomenological framework to understand the lived experiences of queer participants living in the US from 2015-2025 during political and social shifts. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to explore 10 queer participant’s lived experience during the last 10 years. Present findings uncovered three themes with one sub theme: (1) degradation of public decency and rampant dehumanization enables further oppression, (2) supporting and advocating for each other helps queer people focus on what is within their control, and (3) queer people choose to live authentically to defy sociopolitical regression (with the sub theme, visions of the future balance emotions of hope and fear). Through the existential phenomenological conceptual framework, the uncovered findings demonstrate the importance of educating helping professionals to be aware of queer experiences during challenging times and how to assist queer folx appropriately.

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