Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-174).

It has long been a tool of the LGBTQ rights movement to loudly proclaim and own one’s sexual orientation label. However, there is a new generation of young sexual minorities who feel a label is no longer necessary. Are these no-labelers headed in the right direction? Or are they hurting the fight for LGBTQ equality? / text

Belonging is a basic and fundamental human need (Baumeister, & Leary, 1995) that is associated with psychosocial health (Cohen, 2004). Unfortunately, community belonging is a challenge for those with a bisexual identity. Binegativity, minority stress, and the invisibility of bisexual-identities may interfere with attempts to develop a sense of community belonging (Bradford, 2004). Little systematic research has examined bisexual-identified people’s perceptions and experiences of belonging to a community. This project addressed the question, “What are bisexual individuals’ experiences of community belonging/social exclusion?” Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 12 bisexual-identified persons. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2006). Findings indicated that bisexual-identified persons encountered stigma and at times concealed their sexuality in order to create community belonging. However, risking authenticity, rather than concealing identity, seemed to help participants deal with stigma and develop more meaningful community belonging. Bisexual-identified persons who risk disclosing their identity and develop a sense of authenticity may increase their opportunities for community belonging. These findings are discussed in relation to their implications for counseling bisexual-identified persons and educating the communities in which they live.

HIV incidence continues to rise in the population of gay and bisexual men (Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, 2008), a high-risk group due to the complexity of promoting sexual behavior change on an enduring basis. In the present study, interview data from fifteen self-identified gay or bisexual men living in an urban Canadian city was analyzed in order to determine the most salient psychosocial factors in decision-making leading to safe sexual choices, and the psychological implications of these factors for the mental health and well-being of participants. Results suggest three core factors are most relevant to sexual decision-making for gay/bisexual men: self-efficacy, sexual communication and/or negotiation, and individual assessment of risk. A conceptual model of factors influencing sexual decision-making is presented. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for future HIV prevention interventions and the clinical practice of counselling psychology with gay and bisexual male clients.

HIV incidence continues to rise in the population of gay and bisexual men (Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, 2008), a high-risk group due to the complexity of promoting sexual behavior change on an enduring basis. In the present study, interview data from fifteen self-identified gay or bisexual men living in an urban Canadian city was analyzed in order to determine the most salient psychosocial factors in decision-making leading to safe sexual choices, and the psychological implications of these factors for the mental health and well-being of participants. Results suggest three core factors are most relevant to sexual decision-making for gay/bisexual men: self-efficacy, sexual communication and/or negotiation, and individual assessment of risk. A conceptual model of factors influencing sexual decision-making is presented. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for future HIV prevention interventions and the clinical practice of counselling psychology with gay and bisexual male clients.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2008. / Document formatted into pages; contains x, 174 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 1997. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Syracuse University, 2009. / "Publication number: AAT 3381574."

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 253-273).

The American Medical Association's ethics code (2012) highlights trust, established through mutual respect, as the basis of patient-provider relationships. A lack of trust and respect between providers and non-heterosexual patients is suggested throughout healthcare literature. The study utilized a feminist-informed, needs assessment methodology to explore what women who partner sexually with other women need to feel comfortable with their provider. This methodology encouraged exploration, considered participants expert, and encouraged contribution from participants throughout the development of research. This project invited women to lend their voices at every phase of project development and implementation. The responses have provided greater understanding of what cues patients attend to in the healthcare setting, how important these needs are for encouraging comfort, and how often they occur in the healthcare setting. Overall, survey participants ranked the following items as most important for encouraging comfort: "Provider and staff demonstrate comfort with same-sex relationships," "Provider cares about patient as a person," and "Questions on intake forms use language that is inclusive of LGBTQ partnerships, polyamorous relationships, sexual behaviors, genders, and sexual orientations." These results provide significant understanding concerning what women want and are receiving in the healthcare setting. A trusting, respectful healthcare relationship can be created by listening to what women need to feel comfortable in disclosing same-gender sexual partnering.