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Despite the growing interest in the experiences of transgender individuals, the phenomenon of fetishization of transgender bodies and identities has been overlooked. The present study was aimed at investigating the experiences of fetishization of transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) people. Participants in the current study represent a sample of 142 TGNB volunteers from the community who answered the prompt: "If you feel comfortable, could you describe your experience of being fetishized?" Using thematic analysis, we developed three overarching themes relevant to the experiences of fetishization of TGNB participants: (1) context of fetishization; (2) negative experiences of fetishization; and (3) positive or ambiguous experiences of fetishization. The results demonstrated that, in most cases, fetishization was understood by TGNB people as a negative experience of sexual objectification, although some individuals experienced fetishization as a positive experience, perceiving the sexual desire of the other person or living it as a kink. Consistent with the integrated theory of dehumanization, the results demonstrated that both sexual objectification and minority stress contributed to participants' understanding of fetishization for TGNB individuals. Implications for clinical work with TGNB individuals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LGBT people experience microaggressions in the workplace; however, limited research exists in this area partly due to a lack of psychometrically sound instruments measuring the prevalence of LGBT microaggressions in the workplace. To address this gap, an empirical study was conducted and the LGBT-MEWS was created and tested. The LGBT-MEWS is a 27-item self-report scale comprising three subscales. Each subscale conceptually represents a different domain through which microaggressions impact LGBT employees: (1) workplace values, (2) heteronormative assumptions, and (3) cisnormative culture. The results of testing indicated that the subscales demonstrate strong reliability and validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing literature suggests that both sexual and racial minorities are at a heightened risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, there is minimal research addressing the mental health outcomes of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people of color (LGB-POC). Meyer's minority stress theory posits that the manifestation of depression and anxiety is related to both distal and proximal stress. The present study examines the predictive value of perceived distal stress (e.g., LGBT-POC microaggressions and daily heterosexist experiences) and internalized proximal stress processes (e.g., self-stigma, identity salience, and sexual orientation rumination) for self-reported depression/anxiety symptoms among LGB-POC. A sample of 88 cisgender LGB-POC was collected online. Regression analyses suggested that proximal stressors accounted for 15% more variance in reported mental health outcomes than distal stress factors alone. Additionally, distal and proximal minority stressors together accounted for 33% of the variance in participants' mental health outcomes. Results also indicated that bisexual/plurisexual participants reported significantly higher instances of depression and anxiety symptoms in the past month than lesbian/gay or monosexual participants. Implications regarding mental health outcomes for racial and sexual minorities and for conceptualizing the unique prejudices and stigma that LGB people of color face are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores the close friendship patterns of transgender individuals by considering the role of gender identity (trans men, trans women, non-binary) and LGBT affiliation (affiliated, non-affiliated) on friends’ identities. Participants were 495 transgender individuals who completed a questionnaire reporting their identities as well as the identities of their close friends. Friendship patterns were explored based on the number of friends who identified as transgender/cisgender, sexual minority/heterosexual, and LGBT affiliated/non-affiliated. Overall, participants reported more cisgender (vs. transgender) friends and more sexual minority (vs. heterosexual friends), suggesting that the majority of their friendships are experienced in a cross-gender identity context. However, important friendship patterns were distinguished across LGBT affiliation and gender identity of the participant. Trans participants who were LGBT affiliated (vs. non-affiliated) reported more transgender friends, more sexual minority friends, and more LGBT affiliated friends. With regard to gender identity, trans men reported more sexual minority and more LGBT affiliated friends when compared to trans women. In addition, trans women reported more non-affiliated friends than both trans men and non-binary individuals. Discussion focuses on the implications of the findings regarding the distinct experiences of trans individuals across gender identity and the common assumptions behind research that frames transgender experience within the larger LGBT community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research explored sexual minority individuals' ratings of two traditional (Kinsey and Klein Sexual Orientation Grid [KSOG]) and two novel (Sexual-Romantic and Gender Inclusive) sexual orientation scales with regard to how well they capture their sexuality. Participants included 363 sexual minority individuals who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, or queer, and included individuals who identified as transgender (n = 85) and cisgender (n = 278). The findings indicated clear patterns of responses across both sexual orientation and gender identity, where participants differed in the degree to which they felt the scales captured their sexuality. A main effect of sexual orientation was found for all four scales, where participants endorsing monosexual (lesbian/gay) identities rated the scales more positively than did participants endorsing plurisexual (bisexual and pansexual/queer) identities. Bisexual individuals had a unique pattern of ratings, which sometimes aligned with those of lesbian/gay participants and sometimes aligned with pansexual/queer participants. A main effect of gender identity was found for the Kinsey, KSOG, and Sexual-Romantic (but not Gender Inclusive) scales, where cisgender individuals rated the scales more positively than did transgender individuals. There were no significant interaction effects between sexual orientation and gender identity for any of the four scales. The present findings can be used to understand sexual minority individuals' assessment of the face validity of four sexual orientation measures. Discussion focused on the implications for using traditional measures of sexual orientation in research as well as for the development of new measures that better capture the range of sexual minority experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated narratives of bi-erasure and bisexual marking by considering 53 video confessionals associated with the #StillBisexual campaign. #StillBisexual is a web-based campaign that targets myths about bisexuality and promotes bisexual identity visibility. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes regarding the ways that individuals mark and make known their bisexuality. Three major themes of bisexual demarcation emerged including the enduring nature of bisexuality, defining bisexuality, and defining the self as a bisexual being. Discussion focuses on describing bisexual marking approaches by #StillBisexual participants and by analyzing the way bisexual demarcation challenges assumptions of monosexism and cisgenderism inherent to cultural conceptualizations of sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous qualitative research on traditional measures of sexual orientation raise concerns regarding how well these scales capture sexual minority individuals’ experience of sexuality. The present research focused on the critique of two novel scales developed to better capture the way sexual and gender minority individuals conceptualize sexuality. Participants were 179 sexual minority (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual) individuals who identified as cisgender (n = 122) and transgender (n = 57). Participants first completed the new scales, then provided qualitative responses regarding how well each scale captured their sexuality. The Sexual-Romantic Scale enabled the measurement of sexual and romantic attraction to each sex independently (same-sex and other-sex). Participants resonated with the way the Sexual-Romantic scale disaggregated sexual and romantic attraction. Although cisgender monosexual (lesbian/gay) individuals positively responded to the separation of same- and other-sex attraction, individuals with either plurisexual (bisexual, pansexual, or fluid) or transgender identities found the binary conceptualization of sex/gender problematic. The Gender-Inclusive Scale incorporated same- and other-sex attraction as well as dimensions of attraction beyond those based on sex (attraction to masculine, feminine, androgynous, and gender non-conforming individuals). The incorporation of dimensions of sexual attraction outside of sex in the Gender-Inclusive Scale was positively regarded by participants of all identities. Findings indicate that the Sexual-Romantic and Gender-Inclusive scales appear to address some of the concerns raised in previous research regarding the measurement of sexual orientation among sexual minority individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The current study compared the abuse experiences of 108 sexual minority and heterosexual former foster youth who received scholarships through the Orphan Foundation of America. Participants used an anonymous online survey to answer questions regarding their history of physical and sexual abuse. All participants who reported a history of sexual abuse also completed the Trauma Related Beliefs questionnaire (TRB; Hazzard, 1993). Differences across sexual orientation were observed in sexual, but not physical, abuse rates and in the Self-Blame/Stigmatization subscale of the TRB. Specifically, sexual minority participants reported more incidents of sexual abuse, as well as higher scores on the TRB subscale, than did heterosexual participants. These results suggest that sexual orientation is relevant to the experience of abuse among children in the child welfare system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This research analyzed how sexual minority individuals discussed identity when critiquing two sexual orientation scales. To better understand the diversity of sexual minority experience, analyses focused on the patterns of responses across sexual orientation identity (monosexual, plurisexual, and asexual) and gender identity (cisgender and transgender). Participants were self-identified sexual minorities who represented a range of gender identities. Using thematic analysis, four main themes were identified related to sexual orientation identity: (1) salience of identity, (2) social identity, (3) identity development and change, and (4) identity and the body. Discussion focuses on understanding the findings in the context of intersectionality theory and emphasizes the need to conceptually disaggregate sexual orientation and gender identity. The conceptualization of sexual orientation as centered on normative assumptions of monosexuality, verisexuality/nonasexuality, genderism, and cisgenderism is also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated responses of sexual minority individuals to two sexual orientation scales regarding how well the scales capture their sexuality. Participants were self-identified sexual minorities (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid, and asexual) who represented a range of gender identities. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified related to the conceptualization of sexual orientation, and three for its measurement. Themes for conceptualization were comprehensiveness, dichotomies, and beyond sex and gender. Themes related to measurement were measurement structure, terminology, and response mode. Discussion focuses on considerations for scale development to better capture experiences of sexual minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative optimism is the belief that negative events are more likely to happen to others and positive events are more likely to happen to the self. This research considers the impact of sexual orientation on comparative optimism, specifically in relation to positive life events. Participants were 392 adult women and men (18–63 years old) who self-identified as either heterosexual (n= 332) or a sexual minority (n= 60). Participants rated 10 general positive event statements and 10 minority salient positive event statements in terms of how likely they would happen to themselves in comparison to two different comparison targets: a member of the ‘general population’ and an individual who is ‘similar to self’. For general positive event statements, sexual minority and heterosexual participants displayed similar levels of comparative optimism. This was true for both comparison targets. For minority salient positive events, sexual minorities were more optimistic than heterosexual participants when making comparisons to a member of the general population but not when comparing to someone ‘similar to self’. These findings suggest that in order to fully and accurately interpret the comparative optimism literature, participant identity as well as who participants are comparing themselves to (based on either instructions or spontaneous comparisons) needs to be considered. Ultimately, these findings suggest that comparative optimism may provide a useful framework for further understanding the positive minority experience. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ATSM) has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure when used with heterosexual participants (Pearl & Galupo, 2007). The present research sought to establish the psychometric properties of the ATSM with a sexual minority population, compare bisexual women and men's ATSM scores with those of lesbians and gay men, and to explore the relation between demographic and relationship factors with ATSM scores among bisexual participants. Two studies were conducted including a total of 237 sexual minority women and men. Results from Study 1 indicated that the ATSM is a valid and reliable measure for sexual minority participants, and that ATSM scores were simultaneously influenced by sex and sexual orientation. Bisexual women reported more positive attitudes than did bisexual men. However, there was no significant difference in ATSM scores between lesbians and gay men. Results from Study 2 indicated that for bisexual participants, ATSM scores were negatively correlated with religiosity and political conservatism. Additionally, ATSM scores were higher for both non-parents and individuals who were partnered or divorced (versus married). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has indicated that friendship patterns of sexual minorities are simultaneously influenced by sex, sexual orientation, and race (Galupo, 2007). An understanding of bisexual women's friendship patterns, then, must acknowledge the intersection of sex and sexual orientation as a context in which friendships develop. This paper considers the current literature as it informs our understanding of the friendships of bisexual women with particular emphasis on the meaning of bisexual identity in these friendships. In particular, selected research findings are interpreted to illustrate the intersection of how sexism, heterosexism. biphobia, and racism simultaneously shape the friendship experiences of bisexual women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]