<p> Global self-esteem is a central component of the self, and research has consistently demonstrated its influence on relationship quality. Literature has also shown that self-evaluations of one&rsquo;s perceived social acceptability and physical attractiveness are especially important to one&rsquo;s evaluation of oneself and one&rsquo;s relationships. Internalized homonegativity and body dissatisfaction&ndash;particularly evident among gay males&ndash;share many similarities with some domains of self-esteem and have also been linked with relationship quality. However, less is known about these two variables and how they influence the relationship quality of gay men. This study examined whether global self-esteem and the variables particularly relevant to gay men, internalized homonegativity and body dissatisfaction, were associated with the relationship quality among gay men, while controlling for three relationship-related demographic variables: cohabitation status (whether the couple is living together or apart), relationship status (whether the relationship is open or closed), and number of partners. The dependency regulation model and sociometer theory provided the theoretical context for this study. A sample of 147 gay male participants were recruited through online advertisements to complete anonymous surveys assessing relationship quality, global self-esteem, internalized homonegativity, and body dissatisfaction. Three hypotheses were tested using a hierarchical linear regression model. The results demonstrated that global self-esteem, internalized homonegativity, and body dissatisfaction each significantly predicted relationship quality; however, global self-esteem was nonsignificant when examined concurrently with internalized homonegativity. The clinical implications of this study were explored, and suggestions were made for future stories to explore this topic with a more diverse population sample (e.g., drawing from different ethnic groups, greater variation in age across the lifespan, and both rural and urban communities) as well as possibly using a relatively new measure, the Gay and Lesbian Relationship Satisfaction Scale (GLRSS), which has been developed specifically for the gay and lesbian populations. </p><p>

There has been a lack of inclusion of LGBTQ people of color within the psychological literature. It is important to attend to a number of diverse demographic variables in order to begin to understand a particular group's experience. The unique intersection of demographic variables or identities shapes a person's experience. Thus, the current study was designed to understand the experiences of those who are not typically represented within the literature. Specifically targeted were individuals who had some African American background and were both sexual and gender minorities. The focus of the current study was on life experiences and strengths due to researchers historically focusing on disadvantages of minority groups. This study was a qualitative investigation conducted in order to identify the strengths and influencing factors of strengths of those with multiple minority statuses. Twelve individuals that were at least in part African American and a sexual and gender (or gender identity) minority were interviewed in person. During the interview process participants discussed some of the challenges they faced, the support systems they had, and the various strengths they demonstrated throughout their lives. A grounded theory approach was utilized to analyze the data. The core phenomenon of this study, referred to as the storyline, revolved around participants' development and utilization of strengths, which included the working through various challenges and accessing support within their contexts. Consistent with past research, the development of strengths was impacted by sociocultural/societal factors, community, religion/spirituality, interpersonal relationships, life events, and intrapersonal concerns. Unique strengths included participants' tendency toward intrapersonal growth, perseverance, connections with others, activation of inner coping strategies, and activism.

<p> Over the course of the last 60 years, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) rights movement in the United States has become a beacon of light around the world where LGBT persons continue to face intolerance, discrimination, persecution, and death. As this qualitative phenomenological study was being written, LGBT Americans taking advantage of their legal rights to marry, still face employment discrimination, housing discrimination, adoption discrimination, immigration discrimination, and discrimination in public accommodations including a Presidential Executive Order, state, and local legislation forcing transgender people to use the restroom that reflects their assigned gender at birth. In fact, in almost three dozen states an LGBT person could exercise their legal right to get married and still legally get fired from their job, legally get kicked out of their apartment by their landlord, and get denied an adoption simply because they are LGBT without other legal protections. Each of these issues has an effect on employee recruitment, retention, and performance and an effect in terms of creating an organizational culture where all employees can thrive without fear of retaliation, retribution, or being unaffirmed in the workplace. Affirmative corporate activism in the form of company supported LGBT employee resource groups/business resource groups, LGBT serving volunteer efforts, philanthropy, and public policy advocacy efforts combined have helped to make corporate America a critical ally in the movement for LGBT legal equality. This qualitative phenomenological study examines how LGBT employee resource group/business group leaders and executive champions influence corporate activism on LGBT issues. The rise of elected conservative leadership in the United States and around the world challenges the espoused values of corporate leaders on LGBT issues. This conservative revolution challenging the gains of the LGBT movement also creates an opportunity for corporate America to develop standards, practices, and policies. Although LGBT people outside of corporate America are likely to remain far more vulnerable to an increasingly more hostile government, corporate America has a unique opportunity to develop best practices and strategies to keep employees safe, make their customers feel welcome, while testing and learning scalable corporate social responsibility solutions. </p><p>

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Kinesiology / Katie M. Heinrich / Engagement in regular physical activity is essential to prevent chronic diseases, yet few individuals are active enough to receive health benefits. Social factors such as relationship status, social support, and social capital are important for engagement in physical activity, although research investigating this area has not accounted for sexual orientation, including gay and bisexual men. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the associations between relationship status, social support, and social capital by sexual orientation for men by using national-level epidemiologic data from the National Institutes of Health. Chapter one reviewed the literature examining the relationship among social variables, physical activity and sexual orientation to identify the gaps in sexual orientation/physical activity research. Chapter two used logistic regression to identify the prevalence of meeting physical activity recommendations for single and coupled gay and straight men by determining the association between relationship status and physical activity by sexual orientation. Coupled gay men were 1.61 (95% CI: 1.01-2.56) times more likely to meet physical activity recommendations compared to coupled straight men. Chapter three used linear and logistic regression to test the relationships between social support and physical activity by sexual orientation. Social support was not related to increases in physical activity for gay (AOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.49-1.97) or bisexual (AOR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.28-1.51) men as it was for straight men (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.44-1.90). Chapter four used multiple group structural equation modeling to test the association between social capital and physical activity by sexual orientation. Social capital was related to more light/moderate-intensity physical activity for gay (β = .14, p <.05) and straight men (β = .06, p <.001), and social capital was related to more vigorous-intensity physical activity for straight men only (β = .06, p <.001). Lastly, chapter 5 introduces a conceptual model of how sexual orientation is related to social variables, and ultimately, physical activity. These results provide insight into the complex associations among a social determinant of health and physical activity while highlighting the need for future descriptive and intervention studies.

<p> The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people has recently become a national health priority. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cited provider knowledge and attitudes as one of the key areas needing further research. One of the largest barriers to culturally congruent LGBTQ care is the lack of knowledge about LGBTQ people and possible negative attitudes among nurses and providers (Strong &amp; Folse, 2015). Research and data have shown that LGBTQ people face significant health disparities stemming from years of systemic discrimination and stigmatization. </p><p> To establish a baseline understanding of the knowledge and attitude of registered nurses about LGBTQ people as well as measure the impact of a newly designed educational intervention on the nurses&rsquo; knowledge and attitudes. </p><p> Registered nurses (n = 111) were offered a one hour educational intervention at various inpatient hospitals within a major metropolitan area. Pre-and post-tests were administered to establish baseline knowledge and attitude as well as the effectiveness. </p><p> A statistically significant impact on the nurses&rsquo; knowledge of LGBT health (p &lt; .0001) was found after the intervention. While attitudes did show some improvement from the intervention, it was not statistically significant and could be an area of further research. Qualitative responses from nurses showed an overwhelming desire to have LGBTQ education for their nursing practice. </p><p> Implications for practice include implementing LGBTQ cultural competence into initial and ongoing educational trainings for registered nurses within healthcare organizations, and improved nursing care of LGBTQ people. Future research is needed to examine the impact of the educational intervention over an extended period of time.</p><p>

<p> This qualitative, multi-case study examined trans and non-binary singers in the applied voice studio. The purpose of this study was to explore (1) the impact of music participation on the identities of trans and non-binary singers, (2) the experiences of trans and non-binary singers taking private singing lessons, and (3) the strategies and practices of their voice teachers. Purposeful sampling of four singers included two trans men and two non-binary individuals. Four teachers with prior experience in teaching trans or non-binary singers included two teachers identifying as trans men, and two cisgender (one female, one male) teachers. Data were collected through interviews and lesson observations, presented through portraiture analysis to provide an insider&rsquo;s view of the experiences, perspectives, and practices of the participants. Findings and implications emerged through cross-case analyses. </p><p> The results indicate that gender impacts musical spaces. While participation in musical activities created an outlet for some singers to explore their trans or non-binary identity, the reification of the gender binary in musical spaces was oppressive for others. Students modeled high self-efficacy by showing perceived competence to change discriminatory policies and practices in music and the performing arts. </p><p> Teachers demonstrated emotional support in the applied studio by being cognizant of student needs. While the training of each student looked distinct, teachers affirmed students through student-centered pedagogical approaches, allowing students to guide their vocal training and development. Teachers discussed the need for adept understanding of vocal technique in training trans and non-binary singers. All four trans men (two students and two teachers) discussed their voice modification through testosterone replacement therapy. The two non-binary singers, not engaged in medical voice modulation, discussed changes in their voices through singing lessons. </p><p> The research posits that curricular development in vocal pedagogy courses is needed to educate singing teachers on cultural competency and trans and non-binary vocality. This study revealed the need to examine applied teacher readiness in educating trans and non-binary singing. Research on the longitudinal effects of testosterone on the voice is warranted. Additional scholarship is needed in working with trans or non-binary voices not engaging in hormone replacement therapy.</p><p>

<p> A global entertainment powerhouse with millions of fans, WWE produces and archives thousands of hours of content every year that is often dismissed as low brow, incomprehensible, base, and/or harmless. However, WWE content is guilty of propitiating heteronormativity, binary gender construction, and the exploitation, repression, and erasure of LGBTQ+ culture. </p><p> I argue that the pro wrestling personae that perform in the fictional WWE universe are perfect embodiments of Judith Butler&rsquo;s theory of performativity, as evidenced in how the gender and sexuality of these often fluid and paradoxical personae are discursively constructed. This thesis also analyzes ironic and transcendent counterhegemonic performances by personae that can be read as rupturing WWE&rsquo;s repressive, heteronormative hegemony, as informed by Kenneth Burke. This thesis is an analysis of the counterhegemonic personae Nia Jax, Tyler Breeze, Bayley, and Chris Jericho based on their appearances in primary WWE content between 2 January, 2017 and 25 April, 2017.</p><p>

<p> This study investigates the impact of low-intensity workplace mistreatment on affective outcomes for sexual minority workers. The study was grounded in affective events theory and minority stress theory. Data was composed of survey responses from a convenience sample of 380 U.S. adults who work full-time and identify as sexual minorities. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed workplace incivility and heterosexist microaggressions significantly predicted negative discrete emotional reactions (i.e., anger, disgust, fear, guilt and sadness). Internalized heterosexism moderated the predictor-outcome relationship between incivility and affective disgust, and between heterosexist microaggressions and affective anger, disgust, and sadness, such that individuals with low internalized heterosexism had greater negative outcomes when forms of mistreatment were high. Results are discussed in terms of both their theoretical implications, and practical implications for organizational research and practice. </p><p>

<p> Displaced Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) youth exist in educational environments that are ill-equipped to support them in their pursuit of educational success. Limited research on this group documents a lack of targeted supports resulting in significant struggles as they attempt to overcome obstacles in their path toward success. This study overlays the Minority Stress Process and Adolescent Resilience Theory&rsquo;s models of support in an attempt to understand how targeted supports helped seven individuals overcome obstacles throughout their displacement from family and home. The study explored these individuals&rsquo; perceptions of the displacement, supports, resilience, and potential for educational access and success. Interview data was analyzed to arrive at descriptions of experiences that informed the development of codes and themes. In order to contextualize participant interview data, five observations of externally-based support groups and interviews with two support providers were conducted. </p><p> The participants in this study had diverse identities within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Also, some were forcibly displaced due to familial nonacceptance of their gender or sexual identities, while others self-displaced in an attempt to live openly. However, they each described the loss of both familial supports and each reported a lack of targeted supports at school to help them overcome identity nonacceptance, displacement, and lack of belonging. All participants fought to access externally-based protective and compensatory supports. Educational institutions must implement policies and practices to ensure all displaced LGBTQ+ individuals are supported. By mirroring the externally-based programs that are successful with limiting the effects of displacement and identity non-acceptance, educational institutions can interrupt the Minority Stress Process and the associated adversity.</p>

Abstract In this study, we examined potential protective factors against depression in the LGBTQ+ community by determining whether outness, self-esteem, perceived social support, life meaning, courage to challenge or resilience/hardiness, life satisfaction, and hope were correlated with less depression. There were 149 participants in the study, 38 of whom identified as members of the LGBTQ+ community, and 107 of whom identified as heterosexual. Participants completed an online survey that took approximately 30 minutes. It was predicted that protective factors would be negatively related to depression. Results of both correlation and regression analyses revealed no significant relations between protective factors and depression. In a post-hoc analysis, the correlations between these factors in the heterosexual participants were statistically significant. Protective factors may be less prevalent or less directly helpful in the LGBTQ+ minority community than they are in the heterosexual majority. In addition, LGBTQ+ participants reported significantly higher levels of depression than the heterosexual participants. Thus, these findings indicate that there are significantly less protective factors present in the lives of LGBTQ+ persons than there are in their heterosexual counterparts.