Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale has been the focus of much research since its introduction in 1966. To further that research, the relationships among locus of control, level of religious belief, attitudes toward women, attitudes toward feminism, attitudes toward homosexuality, gender, and traditional versus nontraditional…

Considers gay student organizations' rights at state-supported public institutions, discusses the First Amendment and the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Offers advice on the major principles and issues that should be taken into account in writing a campus policy regarding the rights of gay student organizations. (Author/RJM)

Homosexual and bisexual students at an urban commuter university (N=33) evaluated academic and student services and commented on areas of needed improvement. Results suggest that these students experience harassment on campus and are ambivalent about the responsiveness of student services. Most students did not utilize many student services'…

Uses qualitative and quantitative measures to examine differences in levels of perceived alienation from campus among 41 students who identified themselves as gay, lesbian, and bisexual, and those who identified themselves as heterosexual. Found differences in alienation levels based on both sexual orientation and gender. Non-heterosexual students…

Tested a theoretical model that linked membership in a devalued social group to emotional health. Surveyed white, middle-to-upper-class undergraduate students regarding personal and collective self-esteem (by gender), attitudes and behaviors associated with female socialization, and emotional distress. Results supported the direct effect of each…

Examined relationship of positive lesbian and homosexual identity and psychological adjustment in lesbians (N=50) and homosexual men (N=50) and younger sample of college students (N=131). Two coping strategies (self-labeling as homosexual and self-disclosure of sexual orientation to others) were related to development of positive lesbian or…

Individual profiles from an ethnographic study of gay/bisexual male students at Pennsylvania State University are presented, focusing on the experience of coming out while in college. Issues discussed include the relationship of language, culture, and power in shaping experience; overt student actions as political statements; and efforts to open…

New federal rules ("don't ask, don't tell") about service of gays and lesbians in the military services have implications for college faculty and counselors. The regulations make a number of educational, personal, and social activities risky, including seeking counseling or medical assistance and speaking from a personal viewpoint in…

Despite the fact that gay and bisexual male college students know about safe sex practices, they are often not using them, according to a recent survey. The study of about 20,500 blood samples on 35 college and university campuses shows a high rate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, with men 22 times as likely as women to test…

Conducts a Web-based survey of 75 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students about their online experiences as LGBT people. Concludes online resources were reported as most useful for obtaining basic information, for offering the ability to express oneself on LGBT issues and as a LGBT person, and for connecting with a larger LGBT…

Substance-use patterns of 39 gay, lesbian, or bisexual students and a matched heterosexual control were followed through four years of college. Results showed greater alcohol involvement but not more drug involvement than was found for heterosexual students. Path analysis examined the relationship of alcohol involvement to psychological distress.…

Increasing numbers of youth are beginning to come out and transition while in college. This qualitative study examines the perspectives of male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) transgender students as they reflect upon the reactions of family and friends. While friends tended to be supportive, parents often had a negative reaction to their…

There is a disproportionate incidence and prevalence rate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among African Americans. HIV/AIDS is one of the leading cause of death among Blacks, aged 25-44. It is likely that many of these individuals contracted HIV while they were college aged. Black college students are an understudied group. The behaviors of…

Examines current legal parameters concerning the institutional response to gay student groups. The issues evolve around First Amendment considerations; egalitarian treatment of all student groups, whether gay or not; educational concerns of the institution; and the balance between the rights of the individual and the prerogatives of the…

Using a two-year ethnographic study, explores a subculture of gay and bisexual male students at a major university. Identifies areas of concern that student affairs administrators should consider in their efforts to improve the campus climate for these students. Describes the coming out process, visibility, and discrimination. (RJM)