Abstract
Drawing on the Communication Theory of Identity and Inclusion and Resilience Theory, this study examines the lived experiences of LGBTQ + students in Thai higher education, focusing on their perceptions of campus climate, inclusion, and institutional support. Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with LGBTQ + students to investigate the complex challenges they encounter, including microaggressions, discrimination, invisibility, and the navigation of intersecting identities such as gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Three major themes, including 1) Uneven Climates of Gender Inclusion, 2) Beneath the Surface: Emotional Well-being and Identity Navigation, and 3) From Visibility to Voice: Activism, Leadership and Institutional Resistance, emerged from the data and demonstrate how LGBTQ + students engage in advocacy and leadership to promote inclusion and develop coping strategies. The findings enhance understanding of LGBTQ + inclusion in Thai higher education, exposing discrepancies between policy and practice and underscoring the need for culturally responsive, intersectional, and pragmatic strategies to foster inclusive, supportive, and equitable campus environments.