Attitudes and beliefs influence how counselors practice. This study explored four psychosocial factors and their correlation to the attitudes of graduate counseling students' (N = 28) toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. The four main psychosocial factors that were identified in previous research include knowledge level, religiosity, political affiliation, and previous experience with LGBTQ individuals. The hypothesis of this study was there are relationships between attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals and the aforementioned psychosocial factors. Students were invited to participate through emails sent by the Director of the Counseling Education program. The survey used to collect data included a demographics questionnaire and three scales. The findings did not show any significant correlations between knowledge level, religiosity, and political affiliation and attitudes. Personal relationships and attitudes could not be tested due to limitations of the study. These findings were not congruent with previous research.

The intent of this thesis is to investigate the influence of 1980's and 1990's lesbian playwrights on modern queer representation in theatre. By analyzing the successful works of troupes and artists born out of the Women's One World (WOW) Café, it became apparent that the greatest changes in lesbian portrayal on stage came from queer and feminist authorship. Additionally, WOW Café became the common denominator in the success of many lesbian playwrights due to the freedom it gave its writers and performers. As an independent theatre, WOW allowed its members to experiment with few rules, and offered a stage to pieces too experimental, feminist, or queer to see commercial Broadway success. Thesis discussion includes analysis of historically homophobic theatre, the techniques and topics conveyed in the work of The Five Lesbian Brothers and Split Britches, and the importance of WOW as a stepping stone for the success of plays like Lisa Kron's Well. Lesbian-centric work is often left out of theatre history in classrooms even today, and by diving deeper into the important history of queer women in drama, the intent of this thesis is to add to the academia in a way that helps future lesbian artists, performers, and students recognize themselves in the narrative.

The intent of this thesis is to explore the role religion has played in the Puerto Rican society. Growing up in this culture entails a deep and implicit connection with the religious world. Religious values, beliefs, and attitudes are firmly entrenched and amplified through the family, culture, and schools. Because it is so deeply entrenched, it is difficult to find a place to leverage a critique of its impact. Thus, in order to understand the societal matters and challenges the island faces, an in-depth study that explores the beliefs, attitudes, and behavior of Puerto Ricans is necessary.

College-aged students have the highest sexual assault and intimate partner violence victimization rates. Previous studies have linked victimization with poor mental health scores, especially in the LGBTQ+ college population. They also showed a higher rate of victimization for LGBTQ+ students. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between victimization and mental health in the LGBTQ+ college population. To conduct this study, I used data from the Spring 2021 and 2022, American College Health Association (ACHA) - National College Health Assessment (NCHA). The results of the study established statistical significance in the rates of sexual violence in LGBTQ+ and cisgender heteronormative students. There was also statistical significance in mental health scores between the two groups. Recognizing how the rates of victimization and mental health scores differ between LGBTQ+ and cisgender heteronormative students can help in understanding and assisting these minority groups.

The current study is a secondary analysis examining the role of fear of discrimination and its influence and relationship with heterosexist discrimination, social support, and mental health distress among LGBTQ+ adults in the Deep South. A sample of 500 LGBTQ+ identified adults living across Mississippi completed a comprehensive needs assessment survey tapping into nine life domains. The current study investigated fear of discrimination as a form of rejection sensitivity utilizing the minority stress framework (Meyer, 1995, 2003). Mediating and moderating influences within the minority stress model were examined using series of regression analysis. Fear of discrimination operated as a mechanism through which discrimination negatively impacts mental health; participants who experienced higher levels of discrimination had greater fear and increased rates of mental health distress in the current study. Family support diminished the impact of discrimination on mental health distress. In other words, LGBTQ+ individuals with higher levels of family support were somewhat protected against the deleterious effects of discrimination and mental health distress. Community-level support, including availability of local LGBTQ+ organizations, networks, and protective policies, did not influence the relationship between discrimination and mental health. However, decreased levels of community-level support among participants in this sample appeared to negatively impact mental health. The current study provides new understanding of the stressors surrounding LGBTQ+ individuals lives, particularly with regard to the chronic state of fear experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Members of LGBTQ+ communities in the Deep South may experience more intense and chronic fear in daily interactions. Implications for counselors, counselor educators, and researchers are discussed.

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