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Research has shown the heightened risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual risk behavior, and substance use in sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. Further research is necessary to understand understudied sexual risk behaviors in a sample of casual substance users as the implications of substance use are not just experienced by individuals with substance use disorders. Many emerging adults (ages 18-29) experiment with substance use during the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the relationship with sexual risk behaviors are important to understand in this population. Data were collected online through Prolific from 75 participants between the ages of 18-29 who identified as being a SGM. Participants completed a survey in March 2020 indicating their substance use. In November 2021, participants indicated their risky sexual behaviors. A path analysis indicated that cannabis use at Time 1 was significantly associated with greater oral sex without a condom or dental dam, sex under the influence of alcohol and other substances at Time 2. Cocaine use at Time 1 was significantly associated with increased sex under the influence of alcohol and sex with a stranger. Results illustrate long-term implications of casual substance use in SGM populations and highlights understudied sexual risk behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the underlying mechanisms linking how discomfort experienced from within an individual's minority groups (both their racial community and LGB community) was linked with overall well-being via identification with the LGB community. Using a sample of 745 LGB emerging adults of color drawn from the Social Justice Sexuality Project, we found that discomfort in the LGB community was associated with lower levels of group identification with the LGB community. Discomfort experienced in one's racial community was associated with higher levels of LGB group identification. LGB group identification was associated with higher levels of well-being. Additionally, we found that LGB group identification significantly mediated the association between perceived homophobia in the racial community and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the intersection of sexual and religious identities in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals by looking at variables associated with religiosity in this community. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used to explore variables that are associated with religiosity in sexual minority individuals. Religious history, connection to the LGB community, and being a person of color were associated with higher levels of religiosity. Feeling that one's LGB identity is an important part of their identity was associated with lower levels of religiosity. Implications for the LGB community are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]