Using a stratified random sample of 338 participants nested in 20 congregations within 3 denominations, we examined the relationship between religious service attendance, affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) identities, their interaction, and attitudes toward lesbian women and gay men (ATLG) to better understand the potential role that congregational-level variables may play in the formation of ATLG. Hierarchical linear models indicated that 29% variation in ATLG could be explained by congregation-level variables. Religious service attendance on an individual level was related to more rejecting ATLG. The relationship between religious service attendance and ATLG on a congregational level (i.e., average frequency of attendance within a congregation) was marginally significant. Affirmation of LGBQ identities on a congregational level (i.e., policies and procedures empowering individuals in same-sex relationships) was related to more affirming ATLG. Congregation-level predictors evidenced substantially larger effects than individual-level predictors. Interactions between service attendance and congregational affirmation were nonsignificant, indicating that increased engagement with a "lessaffirming" congregation has no effect on ATLG. Results indicate that individuals may select a congregation whose ATLG mirrors their own. Further research examining the role of congregations in influencing congregants' ATLG is encouraged.

The Black church in the United States has historically functioned as a bastion for civil rights; however, it may also be a source of pain and suffering for sexual minorities. To examine the influence of individual and congregational variables on attitudes toward same-sex sexuality in the Black church, we collected a sample of 219 participants from 15 randomly selected congregations. Results of three hierarchical linear models indicated that congregation- and individual-level variables emerged as equally important predictors of individuals’ attitudes toward same-sex sexuality. Individual-level religiousness and congregation-level education emerged as significant predictors of homonegativity. Our results suggest that congregations may play a role in enacting homonegative attitudes. We encourage counseling psychologists working with religious Black sexual minority clients to help clients consider characteristics of congregations (e.g., education) and individual religious practices (e.g., overzealous service attendance) that may signal homonegativity. We encourage further work examining the influence of congregational factors on congregants’ attitudes.

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) People of Color experience stressors unique to both TGNC and racial and/or ethnic minority communities, resulting in disparities in mental health. Guided by minority stress and intersectionality theories, we examined initial anxiety and depression, as well as changes in symptoms, in 41,691 clients from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2012–2016 dataset. We sought to understand disparities that may exist in distress and therapeutic response between TGNC and cisgender clients. We also examined the intersection of gender and racial and/or ethnic identities to examine how these trends differ for TGNC People of Color. Results from hierarchical linear modeling indicated greater symptom severity, but a slower remission of symptoms of depression and anxiety, among TGNC clients. Interaction effects were nonsignificant; however, TGNC Clients of Color experienced more distress than either White TGNC clients or cisgender Clients of Color. On average, TGNC clients, compared to cisgender clients, utilized an additional 2.5 sessions of therapy.