PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION OF LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS AS PERCEIVED BY HETEROSEXUAL FACULTY MEMBERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Despite growing societal awareness and advancements in LGBTQ rights, prejudice and discrimination against this community persist. LGBTQ individuals continue to face challenges stemming from heteronormative assumptions, biases, and social exclusion. This study aims to assess and explore how heterosexual faculty members perceive prejudice and discrimination directed at their LGBTQ colleagues within this institution. Additionally, the research seeks to identify the demographic characteristics of the respondents. This study employed a comparative research design to examine perceived prejudice and perceived discrimination. Researchers utilized stratified and purposive sampling techniques to select respondents from nine college departments at Bestlink College of the Philippines, Quezon City branch. The total sample consisted of 101 heterosexual faculty members. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents were young professionals aged between 26 and 30 years. Additionally, female respondents outnumbered males in this study. Regarding employment status, most participants were full-time employees, with the majority having served three years or more at the institution. Among the college departments, the Bachelor of Science in Criminology had the highest number of respondents.  Results indicate that heterosexual faculty members generally hold a positive perception regarding prejudice, with a composite weighted mean of 1.90, reflecting disagreement with the presence of prejudice across all indicators. Similarly, respondents expressed positive perceptions toward discrimination, with an overall composite mean of 1.85, also indicating disagreement across all indicators. These findings suggest that heterosexual faculty members perceive low levels of both prejudice and discrimination.  Furthermore, the study found no significant difference between perceived prejudice and perceived discrimination among the heterosexual faculty members. Researchers will conclude by suggesting a course of action that will integrate LGBTQ+-inclusive practices into current structures and policies, improve institutional support systems, and promote positive attitudes in order to create a more inclusive, respectful, and affirming environment within the institution.