Sexual minority (SM) students are vulnerable to increased rates of psychological distress and harassment as a result of stigma and other forms of marginalization in the college environment. However, little research has been conducted on the experiences and psychological functioning among SMs who attend nonaffirming religiously affiliated universities (NARAUs) that enforce restrictive admission and conduct policies toward SM students, and/or view same-sex romantic expressions and identities as sinful. SM students (N ϭ 213) attending NARAUs completed the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS), the Outness Inventory (OI), and the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS). Results indicate that SM students who attend Mormon, Evangelical, and Nondenominational Christian NARAUs had more difficultly coming to terms with their sexual orientation than those in Catholic or Mainline Protestant schools. Furthermore, Mormon students reported significantly more incongruence between their sexual orientation and religious beliefs than other religious groups. Students who were involved with a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) had significantly less difficultly with their sexual orientation, less negative identities, and less religious incongruence than those students not involved with a GSA. More than 1 third (37%) reported being bullied or harassed at school because of their sexual orientation. Almost 1 in 5 (17%) reported a mental health professional had attempted to change their sexual orientation. Implications and recommendations for NARAU campus communities and counseling centers are discussed.
Research demonstrates that Evangelical Christians generally hold more negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians, and are less supportive of gay rights than the general U.S. population. To assess these attitudes, undergraduate students at an Evangelical Christian university in California (N = 319) completed the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) scale (Herek, 1984(Herek, , 1998 and other demographic and religiosity items. Results indicated that Evangelical Christian college students who are not homeschooled and know a gay or lesbian friend, relative, or acquaintance held significantly less negative attitudes toward gay rights than those who do not know a gay or lesbian person. Issues related to increasing respectful dialogue between groups are addressed.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (GLBTQ) youth face oppression despite some increases in cultural support for GLBTQ individuals. Research has revealed the psychological and social distress associated with oppression and the benefits of peer social support programs. This study was conducted to analyze the types and frequency of services, age of participants, and organizational structures of the 116 GLBTQ community-based programs operating in the United States. Using an Internet survey, information from 61 of the programs was secured. The results revealed the community-based youth programs provide critical and unique programs and services that can promote the mental and physical health of GLBTQ youth.
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