BIO

My name is Maria Penalver. I am originally from Caracas, Venezuela, but I moved to South Florida when I was eight years old. I am a first-year student at Florida State University majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. I wish to continue pursuing research throughout my undergraduate career, and organize my own research projects one day. I hope to have a career in neuroscience research, more specifically research regarding neurological disorders. I hope to combine my interest in computer science with neuroscience research and participate in artificial intelligence development.

Intersectional Barriers that LGBTQ+ Students of Color are Facing in K-12 School

Abstract

LGBTQ+ people of color (POC) students are constantly experiencing hardships in their education experience. This study aims to explore some of these intersectional barriers that LGBTQ+ POC students may face, and how clinical counseling guidelines can better adapt to their needs. The study consists of one focus-group interview (5-10 participants). Participants are recruited through advertisement flyers. The recruited participants attend video or audio recorded interviews, in which the researchers interview them about their experience in the education system. The responses will be qualitatively analyzed using a phenomenological analysis. The research remains ongoing, in hopes of continuing to expand research regarding LGBTQ+ rights and intersectional hardships.

Keywords: LGBTQ+, intersectional barriers, educational psychology