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Previous research has shown there is a high prevalence of sexual violence (SV) and revictimization among the LGBTQ+ community. Little is known about the prevalence of SV and revictimization among rural LGBTQ+ individuals. This study investigates patterns of revictimization and the prevalence of SV among sexual and gender minority individuals. Less resources, services, and more social isolation in rural areas may exacerbate SV. The Illinois Cohort Study is a longitudinal cohort made up of LGBTQ+ individuals with recruitment from June to September 2022. Individuals that have met the screening criteria were delivered a series of surveys for completion, after obtaining consent and given an incentive for their participation. Survey questions on intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and revictimization were collected and described using descriptive statistics. Rural areas were defined as having a population less than 50,000. A total of N = 74 participants responded to the third survey. There were 46% of participants who identified as non-cisgender, and roughly 48% of participants identified as bisexual, pansexual, or other. There were 58% of participants who experienced some form of SV. Factors significantly associated with SV included age, gender, and total Adverse Childhood Experience score (p <.001,.0278, and.002, respectively). There were 70% of participants who reported experiencing SV more than once. Those who reported being sexually victimized more than once reported the abuse lasting an average of 11 years. There were 46% of participants who felt unsafe or trapped in their current relationship. Lesbian (31%) or bisexual (31%) participants were significantly more likely to report feeling afraid in their relationship (p =.041). This study showed that in rural areas, SV is prevalent among LGBTQ+ individuals. Data can be used to produce interventions and resources to reduce the prevalence of SV and revictimization among rural LGBTQ+ individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assault rates are increasing with ride-shares. Sexual violence data are often underestimated due to sexual violence cases going unreported and can lead to negative health outcomes. There is no research on the phenomenon of sexual assaults among ride-share users. This manuscript investigates sexual assaults from two ride-share companies and the policies/procedures in place to prevent sexual assaults. The data from two ride-share companies' previous Safety Reports were compared to see an increase in sexual assaults. The researchers looked at policies and regulations that ride-share companies have to prevent sexual assault. There is a call for research to investigate more in-depth the sexual assaults that have occurred including demographic data, geographic location, global positioning system failure, and the effectiveness of the criminal background checks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traveling to meet sexual partners and substance use are associated with increased risk of infectious disease. It is important to understand what factors may increase substances use or increased infection transmission risk (IITR) sexual behaviors among rural LGBTQ+ individuals. Objective: This study investigates substance use and sexual behaviors associated with increased infection transmission risk among rural LGBTQ+ individuals, and how these are associated with relationship type (friends or romantic partners) and travel distance. Methods: Participants (18 years+, identify as LGBTQ+, and provided a $25 gift card) were recruited from Illinois (25 counties), in 2021. Data included demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, and assessed how these behaviors varied by relationship type and distance traveled (e.g. when meeting friends out-of-state). Results: The 398 participants were 79.1% White and 12.3% Black. By orientation, 29% heterosexual, 36% gay/lesbian, and 35% bisexual/other. By identity, 43% cisgender male, 51% cisgender female, and 6% genderqueer/other. Alcohol use while visiting out-of-state friends was more frequent among transgender (vs cisgender men; OR = 9.686, 95% confidence interval = 2.123-44.19), and individuals traveling > 1/month (all p <.050). Infection-related sexual behaviors while visiting out-of-state romantic partners was more frequent among prescription medication misuse (all p <.050) and traveling > 1/week (vs < 1/month; OR = 3.399, 95% CI = 1.037-11.144). Conclusion: This study of rural LGBTQ+ identified that alcohol use was associated with travel to visit out-of-state romantic partners, and prescription medication misuse increased infection-related sexual behavior during out-of-state travel. Health professionals can develop substance use and increased infection transmission risk sexual behavior interventions on gender minority groups in rural areas and target those who are traveling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Often the barriers that arise in healthcare are due to healthcare professionals lack of education, exposure, and transphobia. Another potential barrier is due to geographical location of living in a rural area where there is a lack of healthcare services. This phenomenological study investigated barriers faced by transgender individuals who were transitioning in a rural area, focusing particularly on institutional barriers present in the healthcare system. Transgender individuals were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected via in-depth, face-to-face interviews in a rural area of the Midwest in the United States (n = 8). Transgender participants discussed themes of discrimination among healthcare providers based on gender. Participants reported gender markers as a barrier for healthcare services, such as inappropriate or incomplete response options on billing and medical forms. Participants perceived discrimination among gynecology, psychiatry, and medical emergency staff, and pharmacists. Overall, transgender individuals experienced mistreatment while transitioning in a rural area which created issues with participants' progress in transitioning. This study shows that education for all types of healthcare providers is needed regarding transgender health. Particularly in rural areas—many of which continue to lack essential healthcare services for the general population—the transgender population might not receive the culturally sensitive and appropriate attention they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the relationship between gender identity and gender centrality, including self-reported measures of the centrality of masculinity and femininity in individuals’ interactional expression, physical expression, interests, and feeling masculine or feminine. This is a secondary data analysis of a larger study (The 2019 Pleasure Study). In this analysis, it was found that there is a notable relationship between gender identity and levels of gender centrality. Transgender men and transgender women reported higher levels of gender identity centrality (“How important is your gender identity to the way you think about yourself?”) than cisgender men and women. Nonbinary people and intersex individuals reported higher levels of gender identity centrality than cisgender men and cisgender women, but lower levels than transgender men and transgender women. In an average of centrality measures (“How important are how masculine/feminine your physical expression, interactional expression, feelings, and interests are?”), trans women had the highest average centrality scores while cis men had the lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the past two decades have seen an increase in research into both asexuality and polyamory, little is known about their intersection, that is, people who identify as asexual and engage in polyamorous relationships. Using an online survey, we explored the experiences of participants who identify as asexual or on the ace spectrum (e.g., demisexual, gray-asexual) and were in a polyamorous relationship at the time of the survey (N = 321). The majority of our participants identified as White (79.02%), a plurality identified as women (27.1%), and ages ranged from 18 to 53 years old (M = 29.55, SD = 6.77). Two qualitative questions related to motivations for engaging in polyamory were analyzed for this study (N = 224). The first question asked about personal motivations, and the second asked about partner(s)'s influence. Eight codes emerged across the two questions: Needs fulfillment, Exploration/contemplation, Solution to relationship conflict/personal insecurity, a Desire to connect with multiple people, Personal/relationship growth, Rejecting monogamy, Introduced by partner, and Other/no additional context. One additional code was found in Q2: Reluctance/jealousy/distrust. The most common code overall was Exploration/contemplation. Our findings indicate that fulfilling a partner's sexual needs was not a primary motivating factor for ace individuals engaged in polyamory. Ace individuals were more likely to describe experiences as exploring their identity and fulfilling personal needs for connection and intimacy. These findings indicate that motivations for engaging in polyamory are not solely centered in fulfilling sexual desires, and they may have larger implications for the what the scope of romantic and sexual relationships can look at outside of a monogamous and heteronormative context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This multiple case study investigated barriers faced by students who are employed as sex workers, focusing specifically on how stigma impacts their interpersonal relationships. Methods: Student sex workers (n=4) were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected using in-depth, semi- structured face-to-face interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed and coded to uncover thematic schemes among participants' responses. Results: Student sex workers discussed common themes of occupation-related stigma demonstrated in their interpersonal and professional relationships. Participants noted that negative perceptions of their career negatively impacted relationships with family and friends. Additionally, they perceived concern about their academic careers, specifically regarding student-teacher relationships and relationships with their peers. Due to these perceptions, participants emphasized a need to be secretive with many proximal groups, including family, friends, school organizers, and future employers. Conclusion: Student sex workers face significant barriers that prevent progress in academia, relationships, and employment. The findings from this study emphasize the need to reduce stigma so student sex workers might feel more comfortable advocating for their sexual health. While many students are faced with high stress environments, student sex workers are faced with additional stressors. Educational resources should reflect that students might seek nontraditional employment while enrolled in school and provide culturally competent health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our project aim was to create a survey that could be used in all populations and geographic locations throughout the U.S., regardless of the tick species or tickborne diseases present. As a first step, we developed a 57-item survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the prevention of tickborne diseases. The survey instrument was divided into sections: demographics and knowledge, demographics and attitudes, and demographics and behaviors. We recruited 91 college students to join focus groups, and each focus group was given only one section to discuss. Overall, each section was reviewed 5 times by five different focus groups. Feedback from the focus group participants showed that some questions had unclear terminology, resulting in participants having to guess at the meaning. We found that participants randomly selected responses if the answer they were looking for was not listed among the answer choices. Many participants were unfamiliar with the different repellents listed on the survey and recommended that we improve the survey by using or including brand names. Further, they suggested we provide more response options and relabel some responses. The focus group feedback resulted in a refined and more focused survey instrument that can be used to gather information for understanding how knowledge of and attitudes toward tickborne diseases can affect individual preventive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]