%0 Journal Article
%T Midwestern Misfits:  Bullying Experienced by Perceived Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the Midwestern United States
%A M. Kathryn Allison
%A S. Alexandra Marshall
%J Youth & Society
%@ 1552-8499
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0044118X17697885
%X 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. 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
%K LGBT issues
%K aggressive behavior/bullying
%K victimization
%K qualitative methods
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0044118X17697885