This study examined pubertal maturation, pubertal timing and outcomes, and the relationship of puberty and sexual identity developmental milestones among 507 lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. The onset of menarche and spermarche occurred at the mean ages of 12.05 and 12.46, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in…

Dating in adolescence plays an integral part in the development of sexual and social identities. This process is particularly salient for sexual minority youth who face additional obstacles to their identity formation due to their marginalized status. We investigated the influence of participating in a same-sex relationship (SSR) or an…

Examined attitudes toward homosexuals in college freshmen (n=218). Found widespread hostile attitudes about homosexuals. Results indicated men knew fewer homosexual men, were more homophobic, and made more derogatory remarks than did women. (Author/ABL)

Surveyed male homosexual college students (n=61) about how they came to identify themselves as gay, how they discussed this with their families, what kind of social relationships with other gay people they have, and the nature of their involvement in gay social and political activities. (ABL)

Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for suicide among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth; however, it has not been studied among transgender youth. Fifty-five transgender youth reported on their life-threatening behaviors. Nearly half of the sample reported having seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter reported suicide…

Finds that, among 43 community volunteers attending AIDS training in rural central Pennsylvania, about 25% had irrational fears about getting AIDS, and most held mixed or negative attitudes toward homosexuals. Contains 12 references, part of the AIDS Phobia Scale, and the complete Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale. (SV)

Enrollees (N=103) in a resident assistant (RA) training course reported little direct experience with lesbians or homosexual men. The men's attitudes toward homosexuality were found to be significantly more negative than the women's. (Author/TE)

Developmental and educational researchers have overlooked the development of sexual orientation among adolescents and youth, even as they study sexual development and identity development during adolescence. This paper examines some conceptual, practical, and ethical considerations involved in conducting research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual…

In a sample of 121 undergraduate students, found that 77 percent of respondents had experienced verbal abuse and 27 percent had been threatened with violence. Other students were the most frequent victimizers. Fear for one's personal safety on campus was related to frequency of personal harassment, and few victims reported incidents to…

Three hundred fifty lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths aged 14 to 21 years were questioned about suicidal thoughts and behaviors; families' reactions to youths' sexual orientation; and suicidality among relatives and friends. Results confirmed an association between sexual orientation and suicidality. (BF)

In this study predictors of serious suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth were examined. Three groups were compared: youth who reported no attempts, youth who reported attempts unrelated to their sexual orientation, and youth whose attempts were considered related to their sexual orientation. About one third of respondents…

Study examines victimization during high school based on sexual orientation of 350 lesbian, gay, or bisexual youths. Over half reported verbal abuse in high school because of their sexual orientation, and 11% said they had been physically assaulted. Youths' current mental health symptoms, especially traumatic stress reactions, were associated with…

Studied 165 lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths, 15 to 21 years old, to determine the impact of verbal abuse, threat of attacks, and assault on their mental health. Found a direct effect of victimization on mental health, whereas family support and self-acceptance in concert mediated this victimization and mental health relation. (MDM)

Reviews Pennsylvania State University's stance toward homosexuals, from great hostility (1971), through the first official recognition of its responsibility for addressing specific problems on campus (1981), to its current paradoxical position in which sexual orientation is part of a baccalaureate general education diversity requirement yet…

This study examined childhood gender atypicality, lifetime victimization based on sexual orientation, and current mental health, including trauma symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among 528 lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Nearly 80% reported verbal victimization, 11% physical, and 9% sexual, with males reporting significantly…