Authors: Ania Bartkowiak and Jeremy Shain

Abstract

In rural areas, Gender and Sexuality Diverse (GSD) youth encounter distinct challenges. The level of support for GSD youth varies among rural communities. This study resulted from a collaboration between a researcher who conducted phenomenological and ethnographic research in a Montana rural community to offer insights into a culture and community perceptions of GSD youth’s needs and an experienced school counselor who specialized in establishing support systems for GSD youth in rural schools. The article reviews the findings from the ethnographic study, which is categorized into themes, and presents an action plan for school counselors working in rural communities. 

 Keywords: gender and sexuality diverse (GSD), school counseling, community assessment, rural community, rural schools