In the United States, approximately 45,000 persons die by suicide annually. Members of the LGBTQ community experience heightened suicide risk; for example, suicide attempts are four times higher among gay and bisexual men, and twice as common in lesbian and bisexual women, compared to heterosexual counterparts. Experiences of stigma and discrimination may constrict one’s view of a positive future (e.g., hopelessness), thereby contributing to the development of psychache, or unbearable psychological pain and negative emotionality, and heightened risk for suicide. However, individual-level resiliency traits, such as a positive view of the future (e.g., future orientation) may contribute to reduced levels of psychological pain and suicidality. That is, whereas future orientation may ameliorate psychological pain and suicide risk, hopelessness may exacerbate such risks; yet, a comparison of the effects of these temporal constructs on psychache has not been previously examined in an LGBTQ sample. At the bivariate level, we hypothesized that hopelessness would be positively related to psychache and suicide risk, and that psychache would be positively related to suicide risk. In addition, we hypothesized that future orientation would be negatively related to hopelessness, psychache and suicide risk. At the multivariate level, we hypothesized that psychache would mediate the associations between hopelessness and suicide risk, and between positive future orientation and suicide risk. In other words, greater positive future orientation would be associated with less psychache and, in turn, to reduced suicide risk, and greater hopelessness would be linked to more psychache and suicide risk. Recruited locally, nationally, and internationally from advocacy organizations and support groups, our sample of LGBTQ individuals (N = 496) was primarily White (81.7%; n = 365), female (44.8%; n = 201), and either lesbian or gay (46.8%, n = 209). Participants completed online self-report measures, including: Beck Hopelessness Scale, Future Orientation Scale, Psychache Scale, and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Bivariate correlations, and multivariate analyses per Hayes (2013), were conducted, covarying age, birth sex, and race/ethnicity. In bivariate correlations, all variables were significantly related in hypothesized directions (p < .01). In serial mediation analyses, the total effect of future orientation on suicide risk was significant (t = -2.17, p < .05), and the direct effect was nonsignificant when psychache was added to the model (t = -.879, p = .381), indicating mediation. In the second model, psychache mediated the relation between hopefulness and suicide risk; the total effect was significant (t = 3.56, p < .05), and the direct effect was nonsignificant (t = 1.35, p = .181). Supporting hypotheses, our results suggest that LGBTQ individuals with a positive future orientation experience less psychache and, in turn, reduced suicide risk. On the other hand, LGBTQ persons with greater hopelessness experience greater psychache and, in turn, greater suicide risk. Therapeutic interventions designed to encourage an adaptive, positive view of the future (e.g. Future Directed Therapy), rather than a hopeless view of the future, may help to counteract the often-present stressors and distress experienced by LGBTQ persons, thereby ameliorating suicide risk.

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Abstract “At the Intersection of Transgender Attitudes, Identity Politics, and Vote Choice” Amy Howard and Dr. Wesley Wehde, Department of Political Science, International Affairs and Public Administration, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Political scientists have been increasingly focused on the role of identity politics in determining vote choice, with recent work including the potential penalties faced by gender and sexual minorities. Research indicates that both candidate and voter characteristics play a role in vote choice, with the largest penalties incurred by transgender candidates and small or no penalties assigned by non-religious and politically progressive voters. However, our study improves on extant research by differentiating between male and female transgender candidates; adding a non-binary option for gender identity; including a bisexual option for sexual orientation; and differentiating between moderate and far-left or far-right candidate ideologies within the Republican and Democratic Parties, respectively. In line with previous research, we conducted a conjoint experiment to examine the peculiar impact of male/female transgender, non-binary gender identity, and bisexuality on vote choice, even in comparison with straight and gay candidates. Respondents were asked to choose between ten sets of hypothetical candidates for their district House of Representatives, with Republican or right-leaning respondents being shown randomized combinations of candidates who were classified as “moderate” or “far-right,” and Democratic or left-leaning respondents being shown randomized combinations of candidates who were classified as “moderate” or “far-left.” The remaining candidate attributes were also randomized for each respondent, and included age, race, gender, education, religion, ideology, previous experience, and sexual orientation. Upon completion of our data analysis, we expect our results to be consistent with those of the aforementioned research, with gay candidates—particularly black, gay candidates—facing penalties at the ballot box, and transgender candidates facing higher penalties than gay candidates. We will build on these findings by differentiating between genders in “transgender,” and with the addition of the “non-binary,” “bisexual” options, as well as the inclusion of “far-right” and “far-left” political ideologies. This study will contribute to our understanding of how voter and candidate identities affect vote choice, particularly in the case of gender and sexual minority candidates. Such an understanding can be used to develop policies and strategies that will ultimately increase LGBTQ+ representation in government, and improve the safety, welfare and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Americans.

The thesis aims to further the research revolving queer game design and explore and expand upon a taxonomy of queer game design (Alexandersson, 2022) to create a queer design framework. The background explores the complexity of queer stress and resilience and queer individual’s reliance on virtual spaces to find safe harbor. To iterate upon the taxonomy, two surveys with queer players and one co-design workshop with queer developers have been studied to establish what is important for queer players and to explore how queer developers work with game design. The study shows that inclusivity regarding gender, body image, pronouns and good, extensive representation are crucial for queer players seeking escapism, while queer developers might develop games in a more cathartic way to explore personal experiences of being queer.

Of poetry, Lacan remarked in the preface to Seminar XI, “I am not a poet, but a poem. A poem that is being written, even if it looks like a subject.” In understanding the subject as a poem, one begins to appreciate the literary mode of poetry. Traditions set by Judith Butler have inundated the use of a Lacanian analysis in the theoretical lives of transgender subjects. In the use of theoretical arguments that Butler uses the transsexual subject for, such as her essay “Doing Justice to Someone: Sex Reassignment and Allegories of Transsexuality,” there has been an injustice to transgender poets, in renown and the answers transsexuals have to the problems of materialism within Butler and Lacan. In other words, the real lives of transsexuals’ bodies are proof of the relevance of sex and gender. Jos Charles’ poem “Origin as Wetdream” loudly answers Butler’s apathetic attitude to the relevance of sex in the transsexual’s life. Furthering, this essay aims to examine the attitudes of sex and gender held within gender studies. This essay frames itself within the concept of “egg theory,” an argument held by Grave Lavery in her essay “Egg Theory’s Early Style.” In understanding Charles’ poem, one understands the transsexual subject. Through this understanding, the material of transition can be appreciated.

Individuals with LGBTQ+ identities face discrimination and bigotry, components of their minority status stress, often on a daily basis (Meyer, 2003). Elevated levels of minority stress have been negatively associated with relationship satisfaction (e.g. Rostosky, 2007), such that as minority stress increases, relationship satisfaction often decreases as well. This is an examination of the relationship between general stress, identity-related stress, minority stress, and relationship satisfaction for sexual/gender minority and heterosexual, cisgender individuals who were currently in couple relationships lasting 6 months or longer. All participants completed the Romantic Perceptions Survey, Gender Relations Scale, and Daily Hassles Scale – Short Form. The LGBTQ+ participants also completed the LGBT Minority Stress Measure. I conducted t-test comparisons to examine group differences between heterosexual, cisgender participants and LGBTQ+ participants on relationship satisfaction, identity-related stress, and general stress. The LGBTQ+ and participants exhibited significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction, general stress, and self-rated identity-related stress than did heterosexual, cisgender participants. I also conducted two hierarchical linear regressions to determine how general stress and identity related stress impacted relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, cisgender participants, and how general stress, identity related stress, and minority stress impacted relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ couples. Results of the hierarchical linear regressions were interpreted and found that general and self-rated identity-related stressors in combination predicted relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ participants, and general stress alone best predicted relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, cisgender participants. Specific minority status stress did not further contribute to the explanation of relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ participants. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research and practice.

In this thesis, I have analyzed and problematized the discourse surrounding And Then We Danced (2019) dir. Levan Akin, by analyzing the film itself by using concepts from Pierre Bourdieu, and investigating what role the film has played in the call for action regarding LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia. I sought out to answer the research questions of how the film And Then We Danced (2019) portrays how one can adapt ones habitus and social field, how the film provoked the political discussion about LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia, and how the reception the film received reflected where Georgia, Sweden and the EU stands regarding the road to LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia. Using Bourdieu, I came to the conclusion that the film portrays how one can adapt ones habitus and social field through Merab’s character arc in the film, and the director used his cultural capital (embodied, institutionalized, and objectified) to not only produce the film itself, but giving a social subfield (Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community) acknowledgment and recognition by involving them in his film. Because of the reaction the film received, it amplified the need for social change in Georgia, reaching news across the globe, putting the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Georgia on the global political agenda. The way the reception the film received reflected where Georgia, Sweden and the EU stands regarding the road to LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia is quite accurate to where they stand politically regarding the issue. Georgia is divided on the issue as they both protested against the film while simultaneously selling out out all of their tickets to see the film, Sweden remained supportive and proud of the film throughout the entire process, and the EU much like Georgia is quite divided as they both funded the film, but does not have a united front on where they stand regarding the issue.

This study aimed to provide insights into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) people within LGBTQ+ culture, and to explore how they disclose or conceal their sexual identities within different social environments. A qualitative study enabled me to become immersed within the stories of LGBTQ+ people, in order to better understand the construct and importance of LGBTQ+ culture. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, 14 members of the LGBTQ+ community from around the nation volunteered to share their experiences with LGBTQ+ culture and their negotiation of identity within heterosexual culture. From participants’ stories, key themes were identified: sexual identity and the processes of integrating multiple aspects of identity (i.e., ethnic, religious, gender), characteristics and values within the LGBTQ+ and heterosexual cultures, and how LGBTQ+ people make decisions to conceal or “come out” about their sexual identity depending on the environment. Participants described three levels of identification as LGBTQ+: individual, proximal social group, and a broader LGBTQ+ culture. The narratives converged to reveal a process, contextual navigation, for how LGBTQ+ people conceal or disclose (“come out”) their sexual orientation depending on safety within a given environment. We suggest that people working with LGBTQ+ individuals should encourage engagement in the LGBTQ+ culture, as this may provide support for identity development and facilitate mental health outcomes.

Members of the LGBT community have historically been victims of marginalization and alienation to various degrees. Incidents such as the Stonewall Riots, pride marches, and manifestos, among others, have served as a way for the LGBTQ community to attempt to take a stand against the systems in place that perpetuate inequality. Factors such as identity and gender have directly impacted the level to which individuals are shunned from their families, communities and social nexus. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore how factors such as identity and gender impact a sense of integration in the LGBTQ community. In addition, this dissertation aims to determine the applicability of three conflict resolution theories: Structural Violence, Social Cubism, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, to the LGBTQ community. This study analyzes the history of the LGBTQ community, identity formation theories, gender expectations in society, and factors that lead to alienation and marginalization. This dissertation is a qualitative study which utilizes case study methodology to analyze the existing literature related to the aforementioned topics. In this study, the reader is provided with a detailed explanation of the applicability of the three theories, including the role of factors such as identity, gender, and integration versus tolerance in the LGBTQ community. The study concludes with an analysis of the theories, recommendations for future research, and insight for those who aim to resolve conflict in the LGBTQ community.

Denna kunskapsöversikt är skriven för att diskutera hur HBTQ implementeras i skolan. Till hjälp har vi använt oss av två frågor som vi anser kommer att hjälpa oss att komma fram till ett kvalificerat svar. Dessa frågor lyder, hur undervisas ämnet sex och samlevnad för elever i de tidiga årskurserna i dag? Hur kan HBTQ inkluderas i undervisning? För att sedan kunna svara på dessa frågor så genomfördes en informationssökning där flera artiklar lästs. För att komma fram till de bäst lämpade källorna för detta arbete användes olika kombinationer av sökord. Denna informationssökning gjordes med hjälp av sökmotorer som Libsearch, Taylor &amp; Francis Online, Education Research Complete via EBSCO och tidskriften Sex Education. Detta gav en bred grund att bygga arbetet på. Utav alla de källor som hittats valdes sedan 15 huvudkällor att basera vårt arbete på. Resultatet visar att lärare upplever en osäkerhet till undervisningen när det gäller HBTQ. Detta eftersom det inte tydligt står i läroplanen, och som lärare är det lättare att det finns led i läroplanen om just HBTQ. Resultatet visar även att lärare känner sig oförberedda att undervisa om just HBTQ. Kunskapsöversiktens slutsats är följaktligen att lärare saknar kunskap när det gäller HBTQ och därför är det inte något som aktivt finns med i undervisningen.