ABSTRACT

Knowing that gifted students who are gay often begin their journey of self-discovery alone, cultural competency and understanding is necessary for educators of this population. Gifted lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBTQ+) students may spend months, years, or decades questioning, understanding, and comprehending their sexual identities. When these students are ready to "come out," they have painstakingly selected the person to trust with their disclosure. Gifted LGBTQ+ students may experience intense feelings during the coming out process, including overwhelming impatience, self-isolation, overthinking, extreme heightened sensitivity, and constant thoughts about the potential consequences of their decision. Being gifted and LGBTQ+ comes with a unique set of opportunities and challenges. Educators need to develop a culturally responsive philosophy in their classrooms related to the needs of gifted LGBTQ+ students. The learning environment is about relationships, communication, and expectation while focusing specifically on students' sense of membership and belonging.