Tools and practices for LGBT+ inclusion in tertiary education: the development of the LGBT+ University Inclusion Index and its application to Italian universities

The literature provides evidence that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans learners ore often victims of homo-bi-transphobic discrimination in educational environments. This paper outlines an index of LGBT+ inclusion for Universities. The index has a twofold aim: to help tertiary education institutions to assess their degree of inclusivenesss, and to detect the level of LGBT+ inclusion in tertiary education. Starting from the existing LGBT+ inclusion indices like the Campus Pride Index and LGBT+ Inclusive Education Index, the LGBT+ inclusive university index refers to an extended set of indicators and is based on fuzzy logic techniques to measure inclusiveness (Zadeh, 1965, 1988). Best practices in LGBTI+ inclusion, implemented by Italian universities and identified in this study, are highlighted with the aim of suggesting and recommending guidelines helpful to fighting homo-bi-transphobic discrimination in higher education institutions.