<p> The purpose of this project was to partner with a host agency, LA Gay &amp; Lesbian Center, locate a potential funding source, California Community Foundation, and write a grant proposal to obtain funding for an independent living skills group that can address the special needs of the LGBT homeless youth population. A literature review was conducted to examine best practice in working with the population and to examine current policies and programs that work to address the needs of this population. The independent living skills group will better prepare the target population for living on their own. It will increase their level of support and encourage higher and longer rates of employment, better wages, higher educational attainment, less returns to the streets and better psychosocial outcomes. The actual submission or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant to fund spirituality-focused support groups for Latino adults who are HIV positive and their family members or significant others. The groups will provide a safe place for participants to receive additional education and support to enhance their coping skills and promote healthy ways to manage stress. An extensive literature review was conducted regarding traditional Latino cultures, including their emphasis on spirituality and communal support. </p><p> The Elton John AIDS Foundation was chosen as an appropriate funder. The groups will be provided in both English and Spanish through The LGBT Center OC. The Center is located in Orange County, California, where there are large numbers of HIV positive Latinos and few resources specifically designed to meet their needs. The actual submission of the grant application was not a requirement of the thesis project.</p>

<p> One major conflict some lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals face is how to maintain their religious affiliations while developing their sexual identity. Some of these individuals choose to reject theist ideology altogether. Very little is known about the atheist and theist differences among the LBG populations. This study aimed to explore relationship challenges that LGB individuals face when having differing religious ideologies from their parents. In addition, the study addressed the need to examine additive links of multiple potential oppressive forces when identifying as a LGB atheist. </p><p> The study found that all participants perceived having relationship strain when having a theist parent. However, participants who identified as atheists had more relationship strain than participants who shared the same theistic belief as their parents. Most participants were not &ldquo;out of the closet&rdquo; and reported the greatest relationship strain in almost all subscales.</p><p> The implications for social work practice is to emphasize the importance of theist belief, or lack there of, in family dynamics. In addition, social workers must advocate in religious institutions for civil treatment not only for LGB but for atheists as well.</p>

<p>The purpose of this project was to create a program, identify a funding source, and write a grant to fund a one-week father and gay son retreat. A detailed literature review was conducted to analyze the background and prevalence of the problem as well as past solutions attempted to resolve the problem. </p><p> Gay men continue to commit suicide, have substance use disorders, and suffer from bullying and hate crimes at rates that are disproportionate to the general population. This program seeks to help improve the relationships between gay men and their fathers. The goal of the proposed program is to improve the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of gay males ages 14-24 years old by providing a week-long retreat consisting of workshops, panels, outdoor activities, and support groups. The program will target cities throughout Los Angeles County. The potential funding source was the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride (LBLGP), which has a history of supporting similar programs. </p><p> Actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for successful completion of this project. </p>

<p> Very little is known about individuals who identify as LGBTQ from Asian and Pacific Island descent despite the fact that Asian Pacific Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. Parallel to the lack of knowledge is the lack of services for this marginalized population. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal for a supportive therapeutic program for this population. The literature review indicated that Asian Pacific LGBTQ individuals encounter unique experiences compared to White counterparts. The review also explained the links between challenges and their impact on LGBTQ individuals' well-being. The negative impact from heterosexism experiences is compounded by racial minority stressors. The actual submission of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project. </p>

<p> Adolescence is a difficult time for most, and the challenges faced by the LGBT population regarding coming out to their parents can create hardships academically. Although studies have shown that parental support impacts educational outcomes for the general population, there is little knowledge about academic outcomes for LGBT students due to perceived parental support during the coming out process, and how academic institutions have power to influence these outcomes as well. This study uses qualitative interviews of LGBT young adults, parents of LGBT children, and school personnel in order to evaluate the impact of perceived parental support by LGBT students at the time of coming out and knowledge of LGBT specific programs within Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) by school personnel. The study found that for some individuals parental support did impact higher education degree attainment. The study also found that school personnel lack knowledge about LGBT programs in LAUSD.</p>

<p> This quantitative study compared the following concepts between heterosexual men and gay men: (a) self-esteem, (b) body image, (c) social support, and (d) narcissism traits. The same survey was given to 50 males, 26 of the males identified themselves as heterosexual while 24 identified themselves as gay. The findings reveal that out of the four concepts, only body investment was significantly related to participant's sexual orientation. Gay males in this study invested more on their body when compared to their heterosexual counterparts, while there was no significant relationship between selfesteem, body image, and social support for either sexual orientation.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of individuals who self-identified as trans gender or gender variant on gender identity and mental health care. The study sought to uncover the effectiveness and preparedness of mental health professionals in addressing issues of gender identity, through participants' experiences.</p><p> Fifteen individuals who identified variously on the transgender spectrum participated in the study. Results suggest that mental health professionals are generally unprepared and inexperienced in addressing transgender issues. Participants pointed to trans gender support groups and LGBT organizations as the most helpful services. Implications show the need for mental health professionals to seek out education on the trans gender community, and to assist clients in exploring alternative identities that transcend the gender binary. Additional research that focuses on mental health disparities among the trans gender population is also an implication emerging from this study. </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>