Date of Award

4-21-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Tusty ten Bensel

Abstract

In the United States, LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately represented among the homeless population. While homeless, members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to face discrimination, stigmatization, and victimization than their heterosexual counterparts. Although previous research on homelessness among the LGBTQ+ community has been insightful, we know little about the lived experiences of homeless LGBTQ+ adults in Arkansas. Therefore, the current study sought to understand the life experiences of LGBTQ+ adults in Arkansas who are or were homeless at one time in their adult lives. More specifically, this study focused on how individuals enter and exit homelessness, incidents of physical and sexual victimization while homeless, and evaluated the ability of LGBTQ+ individuals to obtain resources in the community. Through a grounded theory approach, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with nine LGBTQ+ homeless individuals in Arkansas. A snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit participants. The implications of this study included providing insight on LGBTQ+ homelessness and improving resource obtainment in Arkansas.

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