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Based on the limited research available regarding bisexual individuals, there is some evidence to suggest this group may be subject to unique forms of prejudice within both heterosexual and lesbian/gay communities. To date, research in this area has relied on samples that do not reflect the diversity of the non-monosexual/plurisexual community. The present study explored the perceived experiences of anti-bisexual prejudice among a diverse group of self-identified bisexual, pansexual, queer and fluid adults (n = 235). Participants completed an online self-report survey containing 50-items concerning experiences and expressions of sexual orientation and gender identity. Results from the Anti-Bisexual Experiences Scale revealed bisexual participants reported more experiences of sexual prejudice from lesbian/gay individuals than did pansexual/queer/fluid participants. Exploratory analyses based on this finding revealed bisexual individuals also reported less subjective connection to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community than did pansexual/queer/fluid individuals. This factor, however, did not account for differences in experiences of sexual prejudice from lesbians/gay individuals. These findings challenge the grouping together of all plurisexual individuals under the labelbisexualand underscore the importance of interpersonal context in the experience of sexual prejudice. [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]

ABSTRACT. This study highlights the experiences of trans* individuals in regard to the use of gendered language by their medical providers. A total of 20 individual interviews were conducted with trans*-identified individuals. Thematic analysis was used to analyze participants' responses. Participants discussed both positive and negative experiences with gendered language in a health care setting. Four primary themes emerged through their experiences that were then used to develop recommendations for providers interested in improving the health care of trans* individuals: (a) medical forms; (b) insurance sex versus gender identity; (c) binary language; and (d) whole person, well-being care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is the first to test the relation between postformal complex thought (PFT) and death acceptance. College students ( N = 225) completed the PFT questionnaire (Cartwright et al., J Adult Dev, ), the Need for Cognition scale (Cacioppo et al., J Personality Assess 48:3, ), and Klug’s Death Acceptance Scale, comprised of death integration and confrontation scales (Klug and Sinha, Omega 18:229–235, ). A series of hierarchical regression analyses showed PFT made a significant contribution to death acceptance over the contributions of other cognitive and demographic variables, as predicted. Further, PFT made a significant contribution to death integration but not to death confrontation. These results are consistent with contemporary theories of adult cognitive development and PFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three studies investigated the psychometric properties of the complex postformal thought (PFT) questionnaire (Sinnott, unpublished scale, 1998; Sinnott and Johnson ), which is a measure of adult cognitive development. The scale was found to be moderately reliable (α = .63). To assess construct validity, a comparison of participants’ performance on the PFT scale to their performance on the Need for Cognition scale was conducted, which indicated the PFT scale is valid measure of complex thought. Factor analysis reduced the scale to three factors, which correspond to important components of PFT: Multiple Elements, Subjective Choice, and Underlying Complexities. Implications for understanding the nature of adult cognitive development and the usefulness of this new measure for research in this area are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study examined in detail the development and decay of potentiation induced in vivo by repeated high-frequency stimulation of cortical association fibers (AF) in piriform cortex (PC). Male Long–Evans rats with chronically-implanted stimulating and recording electrodes were administered potentiating AF stimulation (thirty 10-pulse 100-Hz trains) on 8 consecutive days, followed by a ninth administration after an 8-day layoff. The time course of potentiation was monitored by local field potentials evoked in the PC and olfactory bulb (OB) by 0.1 Hz single-pulse AF test stimulation before, during, and following each potentiating treatment. AF test stimulation evoked two distinct components in the PC, an early component (EC) and a late component (LC). High-frequency AF stimulation produced potentiation of each component, but with very different characteristics. EC potentiation consisted of a brief augmentation during each bout of potentiating stimulation that persisted <2 min after the last high-frequency train and showed no cumulative effects following repeated induction across days. In contrast, LC potentiation developed gradually, requiring several daily potentiation treatments to reach maximum amplitude, and decayed more slowly each time it was induced. Furthermore, LC potentiation persisted in latent form for at least 8 days following its apparent decay and could be reinstated by repeated test stimulation that was without effect at the beginning of the experiment. Potentiation in the OB resembled LC potentiation in its characteristics, but with less latent potentiation. These results indicate that the potentiation reported here is distinctly different from the long-term potentiation previously demonstrated in vitro in the PC, and suggest that this potentiation represents an increase in excitability within the cortical association fiber system that can be stored in latent form and retrieved at a later time. These characteristics make this potentiation a suitable candidate for participation in long-term functional changes within olfactory cortex. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research details the development of a new instrument designed to measure attitudes toward same-sex marriage. Participants were 615 heterosexual women and men, drawn from both student and nonstudent adult populations. Four studies .were conducted for the purpose of developing the scale and to establish its psychometric properties. The resulting Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ATSM) consists of 17 items, has a one-dimensional factor structure, and exhibits a high degree of reliability. Additional analyses established the construct validity of the ATSM where ATSM scores were highly correlated with scores on the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (Herek, 1988). ATSM scores followed predicted correlational patterns with select demographics, including educational attainment, religiosity, and political conservatism. The usefulness of this new measure in survey research is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research provides descriptive data regarding sexual abuse histories of high-functioning women (N = 84; 18-25 years old) previously in the child welfare system. Placement histories of foster youth who were sexually abused were distinct. Girls with a history of sexual abuse were more likely to have been in restrictive housing and changed placements twice as often as girls with no history of sexual abuse. Trauma-related beliefs (TRB) subsequent to sexual abuse varied depending upon where sexual abuse occurred. TRB scores were negatively correlated with resilience and positively correlated with number of sexual abusers. Powerlessness was found to make a significant contribution to resiliency scores above and beyond foster care and abuse demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interviews were conducted in close friendship pairs with women who ranged in age from 18 to 52 years at the time of interview. Results suggest that women of different sexual orientation identities had different friendship profiles. Comparisons across friendship type suggest that bisexual-heterosexual friends consistently experienced a shift in friendship dynamic based on the sex of partner for the bisexual friend and were more likely than lesbian-heterosexual friends to integrate their friendship into their social lives. Lesbian-heterosexual friendships were significantly more likely to include an explicit acknowledgment of non-heterosexual identity. Although cross-orientation friendships did not consistently include a feminist/political dimension, when friends also differed in racial identity a feminist/political dimension in the friendship became apparent. In cross-race friendships racial minority identities were explicitly acknowledged even when non-heterosexual identities were not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the author's desire to read real significance into dreams. As she watches over her sleeping daughter, she realized that life for her is like living on the edge of a dream. She compares the way her daughter reacted to dreams with that of her lover, Carla. Moreover, she reflects on the connection between three types of energy and dreams.

Objective: To compare the bioavailability of two potassic losartan immediate release tablet (50 mg) formulations (Losartan from Laboratórios Cristália Ltd., Brazil, as a test formulation and Cozaar® from Merck Sharp & Dohme Farmacêutica Ltd., Brazil, as a reference formulation) in 25 volunteers of both sexes. Material and methods: The study was conducted in an open, randomized, 2-period crossover design and a 1-week washout period. Plasma samples were obtained over a 24-hour interval. The concentrations of losartan and its active metabolite losartan acid were analyzed by combined reversed phase liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) with negative ion electrospray ionization using a selected ion monitoring method. From the losartan and losartan acid plasma concentrations vs. time curves the following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained: AUClast, AUC0-inf and Cmax. Results: The geometric mean and respective 90% confidence interval (CI) of Losartan/Cozaar® losartan percent ratios were 92.9% (82.2 - 105.0%) for Cmax, 99.0% (92.5 - 105.9%) for AUClast, and 99.1% (92.7 - 105.8%) for AUC0-inf. Furthermore, the geometric mean and respective 90% CI of Losartan/Cozaar® losartan acid percent ratios were 98.5% (91.5 - 106.0%) for Cmac, 97.9% (93.3 - 102.7%) for AUClast, and 98.1% (93.6 - 102.9%) for AUC0-inf. Conclusion: Since the 90% CI for Cmax, AUClast and AUC0-inf were within the 80 - 125% interval proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, it was concluded that the potassic losartan immediate release 50 mg tablet was bioequivalent to the Cozaar® immediate release 50 mg tablet, according to both the rate and extent of absorption. While there were no significant differences in the bioequivalence assessed by either losartan or losartan acid, future bio equivalence studies on losartan may be performed by quantifying losartan alone as the parent compounds are more discriminative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the benefits of cross-sexual orientation friendships in adolescent females. Impact of sexual orientation issues on friendship development; Relation of cross-sexual orientation friendship with adolescent experiences; Ways for promoting cognitive and social-emotional development.

Describes the objectives in the course Our Women, Gender, and Science which addressed gender equity issues in science. Efforts taken to meet the objectives; Suggestions for infusing gender issues into the teaching of other courses.

University reform encompasses an increased emphasis on the social and emotional development of students. In particular, the development of caring, empathy, and community are emphasized. This team of psychology professors approaches the task of university reform by presenting both its philosophy of diversity inclusion and specific inclusion strategies as means of promoting enhanced development of our students. Although the discipline of psychology is used as an example, the philosophical argument and the strategic approaches may be applied to other disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body image is typically studied through the framework of internalising gender binary standards of attractiveness. However, not all individuals adhere to traditional appearance norms. This study aimed to understand the meaning of cis (non-trans) individuals' androgynous or non-stereotypical body ideals and the actions they engage in to achieve these ideals. We recruited an online sample of 78 participants (42 cis women and 36 nonbinary individuals who also identified as cis). Participants responded to two open-ended prompts: 1) What does your androgynous or nonstereoypical body mean to you? and 2) What actions have you taken to achieve this ideal? Authors identified three overarching themes of what an androgynous body ideal meant to our participants. An androgynous appearance was central to participants' beauty standards, authenticity, and gender expression. To achieve or maintain an androgynous body ideal, participants described actions that altered their gender expression, primary and secondary sex characteristics, and body. Our findings underscore the way androgynous appearance ideals function to transgress binary gender in affirming ways to cis individuals. Further, recruiting on the basis of androgyny yielded a wider understanding of cis identity, as our participants were diverse across both sexuality (queer and heterosexual) and gender (women and nonbinary individuals). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior qualitative research has noted that gender dysphoria impacts sexual engagement and satisfaction for many trans masculine and nonbinary individuals. As such, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the exact relations between distinct aspects of gender dysphoria (i.e., genital, chest, other secondary sex characteristics, and social) and engagement in, and enjoyment of, specific sexual acts. To achieve this aim, a sample of 141 trans masculine and nonbinary participants who were assigned female at birth and whom had not undertaken a medical transition were recruited. Participants were identified as trans masculine (n = 52), nonbinary (n = 72), and agender (n = 17). Participants completed a survey rating both body and social gender dysphoria and their engagement and enjoyment of receptive and performative roles across six partnered sex act domains (i.e., insertion, oral sex, sex toys, manual stimulation, nipple stimulation, and anal stimulation), as well as masturbation and noncoital activities. The overall results demonstrated that gender dysphoria is more salient to sexual acts that involve receiving versus providing sexual pleasure. In addition, genital and chest dysphoria were often significantly related to lower ratings of engagement and enjoyment. These results support the understanding that trans masculine and nonbinary individuals are likely negotiating sexual encounters to avoid sexual acts that involve areas of their body they find most distressing and marks an important area for future interventions and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is provided to article within the special issue on the theme of LBGTQ (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Queer) families with topics, including LGBTQ identity, psychology and parenting.

The present study is aimed at understanding how trans masculine and nonbinary individuals describe aspects of their sexual dissatisfaction. Previous studies on cisgender sexual dissatisfaction have utilized narrow definitions of dissatisfaction, operationalizing it in opposition to sexual satisfaction. Moreover, the pervasive focus on the outcomes of medical intervention steps in prior sexual dissatisfaction research with trans masculine participants ignored the experiences of individuals who do not desire a medical transition or live outside of the gender binary. Participants in the current study represented a non-clinical sample of 358 trans masculine and nonbinary individuals who responded to the question: "In what ways are you dissatisfied with your sex life?" Thematic analysis revealed six overarching themes for participant dissatisfaction: 1) difficulty with orgasm, 2) partner dynamics, 3) trauma, 4) desire for different body parts, 5) gender dysphoria, and 6) medical transition. Discussion focuses on the ways in which clinicians can utilize the current findings to decrease the sexual dissatisfaction of trans masculine and nonbinary individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has considered how individuals mark and/or make their sexual identity known to others. Previous research has specifically considered sexuality marking of heterosexual and bisexual individuals. The current study addresses how queer-identified individuals linguistically mark their sexual identity. Participants were 98 self-identified queer adults living within the U.S. recruited online through SurveyMonkey. Preliminary analysis of demographic data revealed that individuals with both monosexual and plurisexual attractions self-identify as queer, with higher rates for the latter. We conducted a thematic analysis of participants' responses to an open-ended question asking them to describe a setting or situation in which they would choose to use the term queer to self-identify their sexual identity. Four themes emerged related to queer identity marking: (1) Using Queer as an Encompassing Label, (2) Using Queer to Avoid Explanation, (3) Using Queer Based on Who is Present and (4) Avoiding Using Queer. Discussion focuses on the way queer sexual identity marking is both similar to and distinct from other forms of sexuality marking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders (EDs) have been traditionally viewed as a disorder affecting cisgender, heterosexual women. Yet, the prevalence of EDs among queer and trans (QnT) individuals, coupled with the lack of interventions that attend to contextual factors related to sexual orientation and gender identity, underscore a critical health disparity issue requiring urgent attention. Here, we first review factors pertaining to QnT individuals' minoritized sexual and gender identities that are important to consider in ED conceptualization for this population (e.g., minority stressors, identity-based body image standards). Next, we describe problematic assumptions present in existing ED assessment and propose more inclusive approaches. Lastly, we provide suggestions for practices that providers can implement within their treatment of EDs among QnT individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports published within the issue which include the social conditions of transgender people of color (POC), the stigma and discrimination they face, and the psychological consequences of having marginalized identity.

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]

Past research has constructed a medicalized model of trans women's sexuality, where trans women are believed to be hyposexual and distressed by their bodies pre-transition, and are cured of their sexual dysfunction as a result of gender affirmative medical procedures. The current study engaged a community sample (N = 169) of trans feminine and nonbinary individuals assigned male at birth (TFNB) to investigate predictors of sexual experiences after addressing methodological biases of prior studies, including body satisfaction (using a modified Body Image Scale) and social contextual factors. Hierarchical regressions were conducted to test the hypothesis that after accounting for demographic variables and social contextual aspects (i.e., body satisfaction, social dysphoria, and fetishization), medical transition (i.e., hormone therapy) would not significantly predict five outcomes of sexual experience (i.e., receptive penetration, insertive penetration, importance of sex, sexual pleasure, and sexual intimacy). Across all models, medical transition was not a significant predictor of sexual experiences; however, sexual orientation, age, body satisfaction, and experiences of fetishization were frequent predictors. Results suggest that the sexual experiences of TFNB individuals do not align with the medicalized model and that demographic and contextual factors play an important role in the sexual outcomes for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual imagery and fantasy are key aspects of human sexuality. They are associated with sexual arousal and response and are reflective of societal influences on sexuality. A limitation of the existing literature on sexual fantasies is the pervasive focus on cisgender heterosexual individuals, whose behavior is considered normative in a cis-heteronormative society. This research has established the strong influence of gendered sexual scripts on the functioning and content of (presumably) cisgender individuals' sexual fantasies. How these gendered scripts might apply to individuals whose gender identity falls outside the binary is an under-researched area of study. The present work is aimed at providing a better understanding of non-binary individuals' sexuality through a qualitative investigation of sexual fantasies in a matched sample of Italian non-binary and cisgender individuals. Participants included 44 adults, 22 of whom identified as non-binary, 13 as cisgender women, and 9 as cisgender men. Results indicated that the sexual fantasies of non-binary individuals were generally comparable to cisgender individuals but were significantly more likely to contain references to non-normative genitals, and less likely to refer to themselves as the object of desire. Discussion focuses on how the differences in non-binary individuals' sexual fantasies affirmed, or were the result of, their gender identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study analyzes the evolution of language used to discuss marriage equality in The New York Times between February and May 2004 and February and May 2012. Specifically, the study examines how sexual orientation labels were used as modifiers for 'marriage,' 'couples,' and 'individuals.' Results indicate that the language evolved from a focus on the sexual orientation label gay in 2004 to a more inclusive language, with same- sex as the predominant modifier for marriage and couples in 2012. Further, while the overall language in The New York Times became more inclusive of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community at large, bisexual women and men are still largely absent within the marriage equality discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two concepts that describe repetitive thoughts regarding an individual's sexual orientation—sexual orientation rumination and sexual orientation obsessions—have been introduced into the research literature. Despite the fact that these concepts have similarities, important distinctions exist with regard to their theoretical underpinnings, development, and catalyst of stress. As these concepts have never been teased apart in the research literature, understanding how these concepts are similar and different is particularly important. To this end, the present overview synthesizes the current literature regarding these concepts with the purpose of providing a decisional framework for differentiating sexual orientation rumination and sexual orientation obsessions and suggesting areas of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]