Year of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Communication Studies

Department or School/College

Humanities and Social Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. Stephen M. Yoshimura

Commitee Members

Dr. Heather Voorhees Dr. James Caringi

Keywords

safe space, LGBTQ+, perceived partner responsiveness, critical consciousness, qualitative research

Subject Categories

Communication | International and Intercultural Communication | Interpersonal and Small Group Communication

Abstract

The term "safe space" appears frequently across academic, organizational, therapeutic, and social contexts, yet lacks conceptual clarity. While originating from LGBTQ+ and women's activist movements, contemporary usage has expanded without theoretical development, making it confusing and challenging to effectively implement for researchers and practitioners alike. This two-phase qualitative study examined how individuals define safe spaces. Phase 1 employed an open-ended questionnaire with 62 general population participants. Phase 2 involved semi-structured interviews with 22 self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals. Data were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Findings revealed five core elements: specified setting, enacting responsiveness, allowing candor, perceiving security, and sensing positive emotional energy. A safe space is "an environment, actively constructed through responsiveness, that allows individuals to feel secure in expressing their authentic selves and promotes positive emotional wellbeing." Comparison between samples revealed substantial alignment, with seven additional themes emerging from LGBTQ+ participants: awareness, intentionality, check-ins, engaging difference, genuineness, vulnerability, and feeling at ease. Results suggest that while safe spaces require fixed foundational elements (responsiveness, candor, and security), their specific enactment emerges contextually. This framework has implications for organizational policy development, educational practice, and future empirical research examining how individuals facilitate environments of participation, belonging, and well-being.

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© Copyright 2026 Tiffany a. Nord