Thesis (M.S.)--Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 19, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-73).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-218).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-112).

Although sexual education programs are staples in the middle and high school curricula, many of these courses are abstinence-based which do not serve the needs of the teen demographic, let alone those who are LGBTQAI+ (Orenstein, 2016). “LGBT teens are often left out of discussions in sex education classrooms in the United States because of discriminatory curricula, ignorance on the part of some teachers and students, or fear of retribution from conservative political and religious activists” (Bittner, 2012, p. 357). LGBTQAI+-focused literature can help fill the gaps in sexuality/sexual health information not addressed in public school curricula. Content analysis, both quantitative and qualitative divulges sexuality and sexual health issues examined in LGBTQAI+ marketed young adult literature. Individual interviews of LGTQAI+ young adults add insight into whether the positive and negative aspects of the young adult literature, discovered through content analysis, affect them in their enjoyment of or willingness to read the book, whether the issues in the book are authentic and pertinent to their everyday life, and if the books fulfill an information need they have about sexuality or sexual health. The mixed methods complement each other as the content analysis explores what is contained in the texts while the interviews with LGBTQAI+ teens will determine the significance of those findings. / A Dissertation submitted to the School of Information in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / 2019 / September 18, 2019. / LGBTQ, Library Science, Literature, School Libraries, Young Adult Literature, Young Adults / Includes bibliographical references. / Michelle M. Kazmer, Professor Directing Dissertation; Amy Burdette, University Representative; Charles Hinnant, Committee Member; Don Latham, Committee Member.

Researchers have found that negative sexual experiences occur in nightlife settings, and have sought to identify the drivers of these experiences as well as preventive solutions. This body of inquiry overwhelmingly focuses on the experiences and needs of young women who are assumed to be cisgender and heterosexual, and does not consider potentially differing needs of gender and sexuality minorities. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to include gender and sexuality minority voices in this conversation and surface identity-specific experiences, needs, and ideas for how to support sexual safety in nightlife contexts. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 40 gender and sexuality minorities who went out in New York City nightlife an average of at least once per week. Through reflexive thematic analysis, a three-part Continuum of Sexual Safety in Nightlife was developed: (a) as long as bad things don’t happen, (b) consent is mandatory, and (c) I’m being myself and you are too. Ideas for how nightlife operators could alter their establishments to improve feelings of sexual safety for gender and sexuality minority patrons were identified across physical venues, policies, and staff hiring and training. Implications of the findings are discussed. Future studies should extend this preliminary research to better understand the needs and experiences of gender and sexuality minority nightlife patrons and evaluate the economic case for implementing these suggestions in nightlife settings.

The primary focus of the current study was to identify health disparities between sexual minority subgroups by examining differences of health indicators in lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals, and compare these to their heterosexual counterparts. Data was drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and variables examined in sexual minorities were related to health care access and utilization, risky health behaviors, and overall disease prevalence and outcomes. Findings suggest there are still some current health disparities in terms of insurance coverage, access to medical care, substance use, and prevalence of certain health conditions. However, a trend analysis conducted to examine three NHANES panels, suggests a mild improvement in some of these areas. Further findings, discussion, limitations of the study, current implications, and future directions are addressed.

Gender and sexual minorities (GSM) experience considerably worse health outcomes than heterosexual and cisgender people, yet no comprehensive understanding of GSM health exists due to a dearth of research. GSM leaders in Dallas expressed need for a community needs assessment of GSM health. In response to this call, the Center for Psychosocial Health Research conducted a needs assessment of gender and sexual minority health in Dallas (35 interviews, 6 focus groups). Competency was one area highlighted and shared across existing research. Thus, the current study explored how competency impacts gender and sexual minorities' experience of health care in Dallas. We utilized a consensual qualitative research approach to analyze competency-related contents. The meaning and implications of emerging core ideas were explored. These findings were also used to develop a survey instrument.

The importance of older adults' health is increasing with extending lifespans. Despite a large amount of research conducted on older adults' health, little is known about sexual orientation differences. Although some studies have examined sexual orientation differences in health, many of them tended to focus on young and middle adulthood or paid little attention to life stage contexts. When studies do focus on older adulthood, they tend to focus solely on differences by sexual identity, and a very few studies have focused on reporting of same-sex contact (SSC) as a measure of sexual orientation. Using a population-based sample of older adults, the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, this dissertation focused on two major areas of comparison between SSC and non-SSC older adults that have received limited attention in past research: STDs as a sexual health outcome (Chapter 2) and alternative medicine usage as a treatment seeking behavior (Chapter 3). I argue that sexual orientation is associated with older people's health status and treatment seeking behavior. Analyses based on negative binomial regressions and propensity matching models found that older adults who report any SSC in their lifetime have higher lifetime rates of STDs and are more likely to use alternative medicine as a type of treatment seeking behavior. Primary analyses were based on negative binomial regression models, and supplemental analyses included propensity score matching models, stratified regressions, zero-inflated negative binomial regression models, sensitivity analyses, and additional tests based on alternative measures of the focal variables. These findings extend the sociological literature on sexual orientation differences in older adult health by examining outcomes of health status and treatment seeking behaviors that have previously been overlooked despite their important theoretical and policy implications. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Sociology in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2017. / March 6, 2017. / alternative medicine, health, older adults, quantitative analysis, sexual minority, STD / Includes bibliographical references. / Koji Ueno, Professor Directing Dissertation; Neil Charness, University Representative; Miles Taylor, Committee Member; John Taylor, Committee Member.

My thesis body of work offers a bridge into the physical, emotional, and spiritual scarring caused by global intolerance towards the LGBTQIA+ community and oppression embedded by patriarchal power. This body of work is a collection of resurfaced history and experiences transformed physically by intentionally subverting hyper-masculine materials into knots. My objective is to deconstruct individual knotted cords that make up the fabric of my identity and reconstruct them into an installation. Renascence offers a visceral experience for the audience that aesthetically explores the body’s transformation as it heals. This thesis asserts a place within a reflective, fluid, transitional identity expressing the intersection of the temporality and body that I occupy as a Queer, Latinx artist of color. Working across media, Renascence incorporates performance, photography, paper, paint, projection, mirrors and built environments. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Conflicting literature exists for the relationship between first disclosure, outness, sexual minority identity, and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. That is, while the relationship between LGB identity and mental health has been relatively consistently positive in the literature, the relationship between outness and mental health is more mixed. In addition, the way these constructs differ among race, sex, and sexual orientation are rarely examined. The present study examined the complex relationship between first disclosure, outness, identity, and mental health among 192 lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals collected from an online sample. The study explored differences on these variables by biological sex, race, age, and sexual orientation. The major findings revealed that bisexual males have less developed sexual minority identities and view their identities less positively than do lesbian, gay, and bisexual female individuals. In addition, bisexual individuals overall are less out and come out later for the first time in comparison to lesbian and gay individuals. In terms of race, Caucasians have a stronger and more positive view of their sexual identity in comparison to individuals of color. It was also found that individuals in later stages of sexual identity development experienced a more positive view of their sexual identity. In terms of mental health, it was revealed that a stronger sexual identity was related to better mental health. Greater degree of outness was found to overall have a moderately positive impact on mental health, though age of first disclosure of sexual minority status was, overall, not associated to measures of identity or mental health. When examined more closely, outness had a more complex, dual impact on mental health. Specifically, outness was found to have both positive and negative consequences for mental health, with identity development accounting for the positive aspects of outness. Directions for future research and implications for clinicians are also discussed.