Exploring sexual and gender diversity issues.
Exploring sexual and gender diversity issues.

» LGBTQ Studies

LGBTQFrom queer theory to queer-bashing, sexual and gender diversity issues have become highly visible issues across business, the humanities, and the sciences. The Minor in Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer Studies offers students the opportunity to analyze for themselves facts, theories, research and realities concerning diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, communities and histories, and the ways in which race, class and other dimensions of identity and experience impact LGBTQ people, histories and politics. Representing Chapman University's commitment to diversity and intellectual inquiry, the minor provides students of almost any major the means to explore the issues surrounding this academic discipline in its scientific, socio-cultural, political and artistic contexts. In addition to supplementing academic specializations ranging from history or biology to English or psychology, the LGBTQminor can also serve students preparing for careers in law, public policy, health and social services, the arts, entertainment or the ministry. 

For information about the Minor in Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer Studies, including additional options that fulfill requirements, such as independent studies, Individualized Experimental Learning Projects (IELP) or independent research opportunities with the Henley Social Sciences Research Laboratory, contact the program director, Dr. Joshua Liashenko.


What careers does the LGBTQ Studies Minor equip you for?

The LGBTQ Studies minor complements all majors across the disciplines and prepares you to work in a host of careers. Almost every workplace today realizes the importance of equity and diversity: the LGBTQ Studies minor documents your knowledge of LGBTQ issues in all their intersectionality and enables you to contribute to and even take a leadership role in understandings of these and other issues in all workplaces. The minor also prepares you to work in LGBTQ-focused advocacy, activist, and non-profit organizations, and is good preparation for graduate work in LGBTQ Studies. Below is a list of possible careers for a LGBTQ Studies Minor.

  • Activism 
  • Health 
  • Advocacy 
  • Law 
  • Business 
  • Ministry 
  • Creative arts 
  • NGO 
  • Diversity training 
  • Non-Profit 
  • Education 
  • Politics 
  • Government 
  • Public policy
Student Highlight
Tori McJunkin, '21 Film Production major, Directing emphasis; LGBTQ Studies minor
The LGBTQ courses I've taken have gifted me the space to talk about something I love, with people equally excited. I'm hoping to bring what I've learned into my filmmaking going forward.
Student Highlight
Flo Singer, '23 Broadcast Journalism and Documentary major; LGBTQ Studies minor
My Film, Gender & Sexuality class discussions had always left me w/such a greater awareness. As an Asian American non-binary person, what I appreciated most was how intersectional the curriculum was.
Student Highlight
Angela Kim, '21Communication Studies major, LGBTQ Studies minor
The LGBTQ Studies Minor has been an enriching and unique part of my Chapman experience. The courses encourage students to expand their understanding of gender & sexuality in an inclusive environment.

Toggle Section

Program Director

 Dr. Joshua Liashenko Dr. Joshua Liashenko is an Instructional Assistant Professor of Anthropology in the Sociology Department and Director of LGBTQ Studies. He is a medical anthropologist by training and his work centers LGBTQ+ community health, transgender medicine, caregiving, and community-engaged research. Joshua’s completed research examined how the inclusion of trans and non-binary clinicians affects the provision of gender-affirming care among trans Southern California residents. This work ethnographically investigated how experience-informed care interacts with LGBTQ activism, institutional care dynamics, as well as cultural and medical discourse concerning health disparities experienced by trans and non-binary people. His current work examines trans health outcomes among participants in a guaranteed income pilot program in California’s Coachella Valley region.