Our research focuses on improving and strengthening the lives of LGBTA individuals through study of issues relevant to LGBTA experience. Within a social justice framework, we explore LGBTA health and wellness from both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. We are interested in factors of sexual minority stress (e.g., internalized heterosexism and stigma consciousness) and how LGBT individuals are resilient in their management of minority stress. GLBTA individuals may find they are resilient when they have access to social or community support systems, and are supported in their self-disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Between 2005 and 2010 under Dr. Sharon Horne and Dr. Heidi Levitt, the research projects focused on internalized heterosexism and mental health factors of Russian LGBT individuals; the psychological impact of anti-LGBT policies and amendments on the lives of LGBT individuals and their family members; and the role of sexual and racial minority stress on health behaviors of LGBT individuals (e.g., HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug use), and how resiliency can reduce harmful health behaviors.

In 2010, Dr. Elin Ovrebo took over as director of the team. Team members have started new projects on LBQ identity, aging, and spirituality; conservative Christian allies’ identity negotiations; and anti-LGBT policies’ impact on same-sex couples’ decision making around adoption and parenting post adoption. The team is currently planning a larger study looking at the role of disclosure of same sex behavior and HIV+ status in HIV prevention.

Recent publications and presentations include:

Ovrebo, E., Schmidle, S., Geiss, M. L., Dunnavant, B. R., Laskowski, V. K., & Wagner,     H. J. Legislative Barriers to Same Sex Adoption: Impact on Parents’ Decision-Making Pre and Post Adoption. Poster presented at the 117^th Annual Convention of American Psychological Association. Orlando, FL, August, 2012.

Dunnavant, B. R., Ovrebo, E., Geiss, B., Schmidle, S. & Wagner, H. J. Elderly Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women’s Experiences with Spirituality and Aging Over Time. Poster presented at the 117^th Annual Convention of American Psychological Association. Orlando, FL, August, 2012. 

Dunnavant, B., Geiss, M., Green, M., Hatchett, S., Hickman, A. & Ovrebo, E. (2011, March). Coming out of the closet: exploring experiences of stigma among sexuality researchers.  A structured discussion presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Women in Psychology, Philadelphia, PA.

Horne, S. G., Ovrebo, E., Levitt, H. M. & Franeta, S. (2009). Leaving the herd: The lingering threat of difference for same-sex desires in Postcommunist Russia. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 6, 88-102.

Levitt, H. M., Ovrebo, E., Jeong, J. Y., Anderson, M. B., Leone, C., Arm, J., Piazza-Bonin, B., Cicala, J., Coleman, R. A., Laurie, A., Vardaman, J. M., & Horne, S. G. (2009). Balancing Dangers: GLBT experience in a time of anti-GLBT legislation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 67-81. 

Additional information about our team.