<p> Transgender populations face substantial barriers to healthcare access, exacerbated by a lack of inclusive research. The health needs of those who are gender nonbinary or genderqueer, identifying outside the binary of man and woman, are especially poorly understood. Using a primarily qualitative online survey, data on gender identity, health access, and healthcare experiences were collected from 81 gender nonbinary participants, and analyzed using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. A number of interesting findings emerged, including that 90% of participants across age groups began identifying as gender nonbinary within the last 6 years, 77% reported interest in some aspect of medical transition, and 75% had avoided healthcare because of the cost. Connections between geography, health access, disclosure of gender identity and quality of healthcare experiences were explored, as well as suggestions provided by participants for ways to improve healthcare experiences for gender nonbinary patients. Results of this study indicate that gender nonbinary people often feel invisible and unwelcome in health settings, due in part to widespread assumptions of gender and sex&rsquo;s inseparable and binary natures, and that this discomfort in health settings, as well as economic and geographical factors, may negatively impact nonbinary patients&rsquo; access to healthcare. Suggestions for improved care include increased education of providers on trans and gender nonbinary identities and health needs, inclusion of non-binary gender and pronoun options on intake forms and medical records, and de-emphasizing gender in healthcare.</p>

<p> The transgendered community has become more widely recognized and discussed in recent years, however our understanding of the lived experience of transgendered individuals is still underdeveloped. This research aims to increase our understanding of the experiences of transgendered individuals, while also providing suggestions for mental health practitioners who work with transgender clients. Previous research has suggested social support improves resiliency to mental health problems (Grossman, D'Augelli, &amp; Frank, 2011). This research examines the effect a trans individuals transition has on their significant relationships through a qualitative research design. Four individuals with varying gender identities were interviewed for this research, and thirteen distinct themes were ascertained through analysis of the transcripts.</p>

<p> This article will discuss the ways in which modern identity politics have encouraged us to label the sexuality of American authors of the past and the effects of those labels. Specifically discussing Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, I will discuss the history of nineteenth-century American sexuality, the assumptions placed upon Dickinson and Whitman with regard to their sexual identities, the political and social implications, and modern media consumption and presentation of those identities.</p>

<p> A qualitative study of three families who had a male family member come out as gay was conducted in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the events leading up to coming out, the actual coming out event, and events following coming out. In particular, this study was conducted to gain more information about families that describe an overall positive experience of the coming out process, including common processes and familial characteristics. In total, individual interviews were conducted with seven participants: a brother and sister; a son, mother, and sister; and a son and mother. Interviews explored each individual's recollection of the coming out process and events following the coming out process that were related to addressing a family member's sexuality. Data analysis revealed five prominent themes for all three families: (a) coming out in stages, (b) types of responses to coming out, (c) expressions of acceptance, (d) cultural influences, and (e) exposure to homosexuality. Additionally, one theme, psychological distress, was salient for one family and became evident during the within-family analysis. The themes are discussed in relationship to current research. Clinical implications and implications for future research are also addressed.</p>

<p> Chethiya is a brown, gay, disabled (ultimately), abused young man from Sri Lanka, who comes to the U.S. on a full scholarship. His dream is to be a Broadway star, but after coming out of his first relationship with an emotionally abusive, alcoholic man, he is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic, degenerative neurological disease that results in demyelination, causing progressive debilitation. The story is divided into six chapters that narrate his life under various marginalizations he is subjected to, culminating in traumatization. The story, however, ends on a positive note of redemption with the narrator looking forward to his days to come.</p>

<p> Marital status and sexual orientation discrimination has been largely under-researched and has not been researched using working professionals, or with the incorporation sexual orientation, marital status, and gender interactions. Past studies have found that marital status bias hiring decisions for men and women differently (Hammer, 1993; Jordan, College &amp; Zitek, 2012; Renwick &amp; Tosi,1978). Additionally, with the growing acceptance of gay (LGBT) relationships, marriages, and partnerships, the interaction of marital status (i.e., applicants with or without a spouse) and sexual orientation bias in the workplace needs to be examined. Our study examined the interview process testing for gender, marital status, and sexual orientation bias affecting simulations of hiring decisions. A significant three-way interaction was found such that single lesbian women received significantly higher ratings when compared to married lesbian women, and heterosexual women received significantly higher ratings when married in comparison to when they were single. The study revealed that sexual orientation interacted with marital status in women's ratings but not for men. This research updates current knowledge about discrimination in employment settings and provides updated information on a topic where the existing research has been largely outdated and under-researched.</p>

<p> Middle school professionals are confronted with the inability to effectively intervene during acts of bullying affecting LGBT youth. Research supports the need to provide educational training for middle school staff, in order to eliminate this form of victimization and create a safe learning environment for these students. The purpose of this grant-writing project was to seek funding for the existing Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) program titled <i>Safe Space Kit (SSK),</i> which had never before been implemented in a middle school in the Long Beach Unified School District. Washington Middle School (WMS) was the selected agency to implement this intervention along with the support from the Center of Long Beach (CLB). A review of literature and interviews with key members from both agencies involved, helped identify the need to educate these professionals. Neither the actual submission and/or funding of this grant project were required for the completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop a potential psycho-education group for trans gender and gender variant (TGV) adolescents in need of services based on the most recent literature. A search for a funder was conducted using the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership Library and the local LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. The grant-funded support group will target TGV adolesents age 13 to 17 in need of resources including, but not limited to a safer environment, social and medial transition support, legal aid, and mental health support. The goals of the project include increased support, increased mental health, and increased community outreach. The actual submission and funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the thesis project. </p>

<p> When the Supreme Court grants new rights, public awareness is a crucial part of enforcement. Gerald N. Rosenberg and Michael J. Klarman famously criticized minority rights organizations for attempting to gain new rights through the judiciary. The crux of their argument relied heavily on the American media's scanty coverage of Court issues and subsequent low public awareness of Court cases. Using the 2013 <i>United States v. Windsor</i> and <i> Hollingsworth v. Perry</i> rulings as a case study, I suggest that the media environment has changed so much since Rosenberg and Klarman were writing that their theories warrant reconsideration. Minority rights groups now have access to social media, a potentially powerful tool with which to educate the public about the Supreme Court and new rights granted by the Court.</p>

<p> The purpose of the present study was to explore the associations between level of internalized homophobia, experiences of heterosexism, and gender with endorsement of type of humor (self-enhancing, affiliative, self-defeating, and aggressive) used as a coping skill among sexual minority participants. A survey was created and administered online, and participants were recruited by word of mouth, emails, and online postings on Facebook and craigslist. The sample consisted of 146 participants who identified as a sexual minority (i.e. Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual), with ages ranging from 18 to 70 years. Results indicated a positive direct correlation between participants' level of internalized homophobia and endorsement of self-defeating humor. Results also indicated a positive direct correlation between participants' experiences of heterosexism and endorsement of self-defeating humor. Results indicated no significant correlations among level of internalized homophobia, experiences of heterosexism, and endorsement of aggressive, affiliative, or self-enhancing humor types. In regard to gender and humor type, men in the sample endorsed greater levels of aggressive humor than women in the sample. Results indicated no significant difference between men and women for self-defeating humor. Future research should continue to explore sexual minorities' use of humor. Implications of the present study suggest that clinicians be alert to and explore consequences of utilizing self-defeating and aggressive humor, especially for sexual minorities with more experiences of heterosexism, higher levels of internalized homophobia, and men using aggressive humor. Additionally, adaptive coping skills, such as affiliative and self-enhancing humor, should be encouraged to promote well-being. </p>