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The Center lists research and evaluation studies that seek to increase knowledge about and improve the lives of LGBT persons. The following is a list of projects seeking subjects for research studies and the contact information for the researchers conducting those studies. The studies below are not affiliated with the Center, and their inclusion here is not an endorsement of them by the Center. If you are interested in having a research study listed here, write BarbaraW@gaycenter.org.

TOPIC: Media Representations of Women Perceived by Heterosexual versus Lesbian Women
INSTITUTION: Principal Investigator: Samantha VanHorn
POSTED: April 9, 2008
Explanation of Research: This is a research study designed to investigate any differences that may occur in heterosexual women and lesbians when they are exposed to different advertisements. The purpose of this study is to begin to understand the different ways that heterosexual women and lesbians perceive different mainstream media images and the effect that perception may have on her. In order to do this, you will need to respond to five separate questionnaires and, if applicable, view different print advertisements. You are eligible for this style if you speak English well enough to read the questionnaires, are between the ages of 18-30, and identify as either a lesbian or a heterosexual woman. Altogether, we hope to test approximately 100 women for this study. The surveys should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete. If you are interested, please go to the following website:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vzXhMDYHKr6vej02DLTAgQ_3d_3d
You may also contact me at samanthavanhorn@mac.com or (917) 428-2666

TOPIC: HIV Disclosure
INSTITUTION: Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
POSTED: March 5, 2008
Have you ever been tested for HIV? Have you told other people about your test results? If so, we are interested in your experience! We are running a 2-part, Internet-based study to examine how people make decisions to disclose their HIV-test results to others and how these decisions affect their overall well-being. If you are interested in participating, you will first be asked to complete a brief, 3-5 minute web-based eligibility survey in order to determine if you are eligible to complete the study. If you qualify, you will be asked to complete 2 web-based surveys (1 now & 1 in approximately 6 months) about your experiences with disclosing your HIV-test results to another person, your current psychological well-being, sexual behaviors, and health. Each survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will be paid $10 for Survey 1 and $15 for Survey 2 (for a total of $25) and will have the opportunity to be entered into a raffle for a $50 Visa Check Card. To see if you are eligible to participate, please answer a few questions at the following website: https://esurvey.chip.uconn.edu/~schaudoir/html/e1/e1.html. Please contact Stephenie Chaudoir with any questions: rpiproject@gmail.com ; 860.486.6024.

TOPIC: Family Adjustment To Transgender Emergence
INSTITUTION: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Boston, MA
POSTED: January 15, 2008
Are you the parent of a transgender child ages 18-30? Has your child undergone surgical and/or hormonal interventions? If so, your help is needed in a research study. I am a Doctoral candidate investigating the process of family adjustment to learning of their child’s transgender identity. I am hoping to understand more about how families adjust and cope especially given the stigma around gender variance. I would like to know what makes some families better able to remain connected through the adjustment process. What are sources of strength both from within the family and in their larger community? Lastly, I hope to glean information that could address how the field of mental health can better support families in their adjustment process.
My study includes an anonymous online interview questionnaire that would require approximately an hour of your time. This interview questionnaire can be reached directly by going to the following web address
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ggn_2bBFDbtJGADyPtlbobAg_3d_3d
I can be reached by e-mail at marissa_gold@mspp.edu or by telephone at (781) 363-1812 for any additional information.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration!

TOPIC: Teens and Discourses of Sexuality and Gender in High Schools
INSTITUTION: CUNY Graduate Center
POSTED: January 9, 2007
I'm looking for high school students at least 15 years old who identify as non-heterosexual and/or gender variant to work as co-researchers on my dissertation project. This is a research study of how students in high schools learn about appropriate sexuality and gender through the language, behavior, curriculum, teaching, and texts in schools. The study asks LGBTQ students in New York City high schools to research and document the ways that gender and sexuality are regulated by school policies, curriculum, social interactions and assumptions. Co-researchers will meet once per week in a writing and discussion group that will discuss gender and sexuality in their schools. They will make a map of the spaces in which gender and sexuality matters in their schools. Through the discussions and the maps the co-researchers will construct an instrument that will be used to survey other students about the ways that discourses have impacted them. The group will meet one time per week for two hours, for about 20 weeks. Students will be paid a per meeting stipend of $20 and will get a metrocard to participate in the group. Students interested in participating should contact Darla Linville at dlinville@gc.cuny.edu.

TOPIC: Experiences and Beliefs of Same-Sex Attracted Young Adults
INSTITUTION: Bowling Green State University
POSTED: December 7, 2007
I am looking for participants in my dissertation study which investigates the experiences and beliefs of young men and women who experience same-sex attraction. I am especially interested in the religious and/or spiritual experiences of these individuals. You are eligible to participate in this study if you are between the ages of 18 and 24, are a current resident of the United States, and experience some aspect of same-sex orientation (i.e., you experience any or all of the following with people of your sex: physical or romantic attraction, sexual behavior, romantic or sexual fantasies; and/or you personally identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer). You are invited to participate regardless of your religious or spiritual background. I hope that the knowledge gained through this research will serve to educate the public and professionals who interact with people who have same-sex attraction, and promote community awareness and growth toward understanding the experiences of same-sex attracted people. If you think you might be interested in participating in this study, go to the following web address to learn more: http://survey.bgsu.edu/surveys/psychology/smccart_survey/smccart_survey.htm. If interested, you will be asked to complete an online survey that asks questions about your background, beliefs, and experiences. It could take up to 30 minutes to complete the survey. Some people might take less time, others might take more. If you have any questions you can contact me, Shauna McCarthy, Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology, at (419) 320-2518 or smccart@bgnet.bgsu.edu.

TOPIC: Best Friends in New Dating Relationships (Will and Grace or Will and Jack?)
INSTITUTION: DePaul University Chicago, IL
POSTED: November 29, 2007
Have you or your best friend recently entered into a new dating relationship? Is this something that you have experienced in the past? Has your relationship changed or remained the same because of this? I am currently looking for LGBTQA participants between the ages of 18-35 to participate. The focus of this study is to see how background factors may influence perceptions and reactions to this situation. By spending approximately 10 minutes of your time, you will be making a difference in the field of psychology, where research in this area is still lacking. This is an IRB approved study and completely anonymous. To ensure confidentiality, the information is collected into a database and there is no way to track the person who has responded. At the end of the survey participants are redirected to another link, independent of the study, where they can enter to win prizes (Best Buy and Target Gift Cards)! To participate in the study please click on the following link or copy and paste it to your address bar: http://sheu-hp.psy.depaul.edu/~anna/Study/Consent_form.html If you have any further questions, please contact NgocAnna P. Huynh at nhuynh@depaul.edu. Please type "Best Friends in New Dating Relationships" in the subject line. Thank you for your interest and help!

TOPIC: The Sexualities of Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Latinas
INSTITUTION: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
POSTED: November 14, 2007
Doctoral student interested in how lesbian, bisexual, and queer Latinas negotiate their sexuality when it comes to family, immigration and building healthy relationships in the US. This study compares the experiences of Latinas who were born and raised in the US to those who were born and raised in a Latin American or Caribbean country. The goal of this study is ultimately to increase the visibility of the experiences of "sexually nonconforming" Latinas in the academy. In order to be eligible you must 1) be over the age of eighteen 2) be of Latin American or Latino Caribbean descent 3) self identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, or a woman who loves other women. Participation will consist of one in-depth interview lasting approximately 90 minutes. All participants will receive $20.00 as compensation for their time. For more information please call Katie at 860-933-8082 or email at katie.acosta@uconn.edu

TOPIC: Comparing stress and drinking behavior between straight and LGBTQ college students.
INSTITUTION: Pace University, New York, NY
POSTED: November 5, 2007
Are you an LGBT or questioning college student? Did you know that LGBTQ youth may be at greater risk for substance abuse problems than their heterosexual peers, because of their experience of being a sexual minority? There is a great need for research on the LGBTQ youth population so we can better understand their unique experiences and needs. You can help by participating in a research study about drinking behavior in college students. If you are a college student, and 18 years or older, you are strongly encouraged to complete this 15 minute, confidential online questionnaire. As a special "thanks" for your participation, you may choose to be entered into a raffle for an iPod Shuffle, by entering your email address at the end of the survey (which is not traceable to any of your responses). Or, if you prefer to remain completely anonymous, you can choose to opt out of the raffle, and enter no identifying information. To participate in the study, please click on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/jansdissertation or copy and paste it into your browser. If you have any quesitons about this study, please contact Jan Spinardi at jan.spinardi@gmail.com

TOPIC: Women Who’ve Experienced the Death of a Same-Sex Partner
INSTITUTION: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY and University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
POSTED: October 25, 2007
We are looking for volunteers to participate in a study about how women cope with stress related to the death of a same-sex life partner. Knowledge gained from this study will be used to increase understanding about how women experience, and adapt to, stressful life events. Women who have experienced the death of a female life partner, regardless of whether they identify as lesbian, bisexual, or gay are invited to participate in this study. Women from diverse social, geographical, racial/ethnic, age, religious/spiritual, and disability backgrounds are especially invited to participate in this research. All participants must be 18 years old. Participants will complete two online surveys taken 6 weeks apart OR elect to have a paper version of the same surveys mailed to them to complete. Each survey will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete. All participants will receive two Target gift cards worth $15.00 each for helping with this important research. To participate or to find out more information about the study, click on this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=FUuMaa7wFkCVGOWRFY47fA_3d_3d or copy and paste it into your web browser. To have a paper version mailed to you, please contact Michael Steger, Ph.D., at mfsteg01@louisville.edu or 502-852-0632 or Deb Broderick, Psy.D., at djbroderick@stthomas.edu or 651-962-6780 or Erica Adams, M.S. at 502-852-3118 or Erica.adams@louisville.edu. For email inquiries please type "grief study" in the subject line.

TOPIC: Exploring Male Gender Role Conflict Among Gay Fathers Who Are Primary Caregivers to their Children
INSTITUTION: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Boston, MA
POSTED: October 3, 2007
Doctoral candidate is investigating patterns and experiences of male gender role conflict among gay fathers who are primary caregivers to their young children. Male gender role conflict is defined as occurring when traditional, socialized male gender roles result in restriction, devaluation, or violation of others or self. The goal of this study ultimately is to increase mental health professionals' knowledge of the experience of gay fathers in the role of primary caregiving. Criteria for participants are: 1) the father, for the most part, is primarily responsible for daily child caretaking tasks (more days than not); and 2) he has accommodated his career/work schedule to carry out the primary caretaking role (working less than full time). Participation includes filling out two short surveys and an interview. If you have questions about this study, please contact Arthur Kosmopoulos at (917) 544-6769 or by email: gayfathers2007@gmail.com

TOPIC: Research study on medication treatment for crystal methamphetamine abuse
INSTITUTION: New York University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health and Addictive Disorders Research Program
POSTED: September 25, 2007
The NYU School of Medicine needs volunteers for an investigational medicine research study for treatment of methamphetamine abuse. Participation involves background interviews, physical exam and 10 weeks of study medication or placebo (sugar pill). Volunteers receive compensation for time and travel. For more information, please call 212-951-6888 or e-mail: daniel.rutimann@med.nyu.edu, New York VA, www.med.nyu.edu/mhadrp

TOPIC: Young Gay and Bisexual Men needed for paid study!
INSTITUTION: The Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST) of Hunter College, New York City, NY
POSTED: September 20, 2007
CHEST is looking for participants for the Young Men’s Health Project. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 29, live in the New York City area, and have a reliable, working telephone number. Payment of up to $290 if you are eligible for and complete the study! Call (212) 206-7919 x302 for an interview to find out if you’re eligible.

TOPIC: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF EXCLUSIVITY IN GAY MALE RELATIONSHIPS
INSTITUTION: Seton Hall University; South Orange, NJ
POSTED: August 7, 2007
King Mott, Ph.D. and Peter J. Economou, M.A., Ed.S. are conducting a study investigating the myriad of factors that delineate a gay male committed relationship. Of particular interest is the meaning of monogamy as this concept is transformed outside of patriarchal and societal constrictions. What does exclusivity mean to committed gay men? Is the paradigm of marriage as understood in the heterosexual experience appropriate to gay male relationships? What is the meaning of gay commitment? Participation includes the completion of various anonymous surveys which can be completed within 10-15 minutes. The only criteria for participation are to be above 18 years old, a gay male and in a committed relationship.
If you have questions about this study, please contact Peter J. Economou at (732) 822-3242, or by email to econompe@shu.edu.