Open AccessA Case of Shifting Focus Friction: Extension Directors and State 4-H Program Leaders’ Perspectives on 4-H LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Author(s) -
Jeremy ElliottEngel,
Donna Westfall-Rudd,
Eric K. Kaufman,
Megan Seibel,
Rama Radhakrishna
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of extension
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1077-5315
pISSN - 0022-0140
DOI - 10.34068/joe.59.04.14
Subject(s) - inclusion (mineral) , transgender , lesbian , queer , gender studies , sexual identity , identity (music) , sociology , sexual orientation , focus group , politics , homosexuality , state (computer science) , political science , public relations , human sexuality , law , physics , algorithm , anthropology , acoustics , computer science
Contemporary Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth are identifying and communicating their identities earlier in childhood than generations before as a result of more awareness and more acceptance of gender identity and sexual minorities by society. A qualitative study of U.S. 4-H program leaders and Extension directors generated an emergent theme around the importance of serving LGBT youth and the resulting implementation challenges. The administrators of 4-H, the largest youth serving organization in the country, recognize the presence of LGBTQ+ youth in 4-H and believe the organization must be inclusive. But challenges remain in ensuring youth experience inclusion at all levels of the organization and to manage political and societal pressures resulting from shifting focus friction.