Sexual and Reproductive Health Education for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities: a Mixed Methods Study of Professionals' Practices and Needs.

We conducted formative research to inform the creation of innovative new tools and strategies to engage professionals in communicating with youth with intellectual disabilities about sexual health. The research was guided by a multidisciplinary network of experts and an advisory board of self-advocates with intellectual disabilities and caregivers that make up Project SHINE: the Sexual Health Innovation Network for Equitable Education. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study utilized survey data from 632 disability support professionals who provide services to youth ages 16-24 with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Sexual violence experiences among black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women in South African townships: contributing factors and implications for health.

This study examined experiences with sexual violence among Black African gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women (TGW) in townships surrounding Pretoria, South Africa. Of 81 GBMSM and TGWs interviewed, 17 reported to have experienced sexual violence perpetrated by other men. Qualitative analysis of interviews revealed the social and relational context of these experiences as well as their psychological and health consequences.

Gender Nonconformity and Peer Victimization: Sex and Sexual Attraction Differences by Age.

Among 2,185 Dutch adolescents (ages 11 to 18), we assessed whether the association among gender nonconformity, homophobic name-calling, and other general peer victimization differs for boys and girls and for youth with and without same-sex attraction (SSA). We also examined whether sex and sexual attraction differences in the association between gender nonconformity and both types of peer victimization are dependent upon adolescents' age. Data were collected in the academic year 2011-2012.

Sexuality Disclosure Among Black South African MSM and Responses by Family.

Although South Africa protects sexual orientation in its Constitution, homosexuality is socioculturally contested and unaccepted. This lack of acceptance may impact the coming-out process of men who have sex with men (MSM). This study explored diverse factors that influenced whether Black South African MSM disclosed their sexual practices and identities to their families, how their families responded, and how family responses affected them.

A PrEP Information and Self-Screening Tool for Women.

Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective for women, studies show limited uptake among women to date. Barriers to women's PrEP uptake include their limited knowledge about PrEP and low perceived HIV risk. To address these barriers, we developed and pretested a printed palm card containing HIV prevention/PrEP information that addressed HIV prevention motivation with self-assessment questions about HIV risk.

Raising Awareness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among Women in New York City: Community and Provider Perspectives.

This study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and perceived facilitators and barriers to adoption of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among black women and Latinas in the Bronx, NY. Data were collected in focus group discussions (FGDs) held separately with staff (n = 21) and black and Latina female clients aged 18 to 50 (n = 23) of four organizations providing health and social services. Participants were also asked to give feedback about four action messages regarding PrEP for a social marketing campaign.

Healing Our Women for Transgender Women: Adaptation, Acceptability, and Pilot Testing.

Healing Our Women (HOW) is a group-level HIV risk-reduction intervention developed to address the role of prior sexual victimization in HIV risk and protective behaviors among HIV-positive women of color. This article describes the process of adapting HOW for transgender women of color in New York City in accordance with CDC guidance for the adaptation of efficacious interventions. Twenty-one transgender women were enrolled in a study to evaluate the acceptability and fidelity of the adapted intervention, and to assess HIV knowledge, depressive symptoms, coping, condom use self-efficacy, and condom use via pre- and post-intervention surveys.

A Clinical Home for Preexposure Prophylaxis: Diverse Health Care Providers' Perspectives on the "Purview Paradox".

Background: One barrier to wider preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) availability is uncertainty about the most appropriate providers and practice settings for offering PrEP.

Methods: The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 30 clinicians--primary care and HIV specialists--in the New York City (NYC) region to explore issues related to PrEP rollout, including who should provide it and in what settings.

Results: A diverse group favored offering PrEP in non-HIV specialty settings in order to reach high-risk HIV-negative individuals.

Understanding Teachers' Responses to Enactments of Sexual and Gender Stigma at School.

Although teachers may be in a position to address enactments of sexual and gender stigma among their students, little is known about their motivations to intervene in such situations. We surveyed secondary school teachers in the Netherlands, assessing how beliefs, norms, and self-efficacy were related to their intentions to intervene in two hypothetical situations that involved bullying of lesbian/gay or gender non-conforming students. We found significantly stronger intentions to intervene among teachers who were more confident in their abilities to intervene successfully and who had stronger beliefs that intervening in the situation would produce a positive outcome.

'They think that gays have money': gender identity and transactional sex among Black men who have sex with men in four South African townships.

Transactional sex has not been studied much among men who have sex with men in Africa. Consequently, little is understood about attitudes towards the practice, the circumstances that give rise to it or how transactional sex relationships are managed. We conducted in-depth interviews with 81 Black men aged 20-44 from four low-resourced townships in Tshwane, South Africa.

HIV testing practices of South African township MSM in the era of expanded access to ART.

While men who have sex with men (MSM) in Africa are at high risk for HIV infection, few of those already infected know their status. Effectively promoting frequent HIV testing-of increasing importance with the expanding accessibility of antiretroviral treatment-requires an understanding of the testing practices in this population. To understand men's HIV testing practices, including their behavior, experiences, and perceptions, we conducted in-depth interviews with 81 black South African MSM (ages 20-39), purposively recruited from four townships.

Attitudes toward lesbians and gays among American and Dutch adolescents.

Attitudes toward lesbians and gays vary across national populations, and previous research has found relatively more accepting attitudes in the Netherlands as compared to the United States. In this study, we compared beliefs about and attitudes toward lesbians and gays in samples of Dutch and American heterosexual adolescents, utilizing survey data from 1,080 American adolescents (mean age = 15.86 years) attending two schools and from 1,391 Dutch adolescents (mean age = 16.

Gender, Ethnicity, Religiosity, and Same-sex Sexual Attraction and the Acceptance of Same-sex Sexuality and Gender Non-conformity.

This study explored the role of gender, ethnicity, religiosity, and sexual attraction in adolescents' acceptance of same-sex sexuality and gender non-conformity. Using an intersectionality perspective, we also tested whether the effects of gender, ethnicity, and religiosity on adolescents' attitudes would function differently in adolescents with and without same-sex attractions. Data for this study were collected by means of a paper questionnaire completed by 1,518 secondary school students (mean age = 14.

Experiences of female partners of masculine-identifying trans persons.

This paper explores the intimate relationship experiences of the cisgender (i.e., not transgender) female partners of masculine-identifying transgender persons, with a particular focus on these partners' self-understanding of their sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression related peer victimization in adolescence: a systematic review of associated psychosocial and health outcomes.

This article reviews research on psychosocial and health outcomes associated with peer victimization related to adolescent sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Using four electronic databases and supplementary methods, we identified 39 relevant studies. These studies were published between 1995 and 2012 and conducted in 12 different countries.

Homophobic name-calling among secondary school students and its implications for mental health.

Although homophobic verbal victimization has been associated with negative mental health outcomes, little actually is known about its general prevalence and relationship to mental health among adolescents. In addition, the relationship of homophobic name-calling to mental health in gender non-conforming adolescents is not well understood. This study examined the relationship between homophobic verbal victimization and mental health in adolescents, accounting for their sexual orientation and level of gender non-conformity.

Addressing sexual problems in HIV primary care: experiences from patients.

Evidence suggests that sexual problems are common among people living with HIV and may be related to sexual risk taking and treatment adherence. This study explored the extent to which sexual problems experienced by people with HIV are addressed in primary care as well as how primary care responses to sexual problems are experienced by patients. Structured interviews were conducted with 60 patients at an urban HIV clinic.

Intergroup contact, attitudes toward homosexuality, and the role of acceptance of gender non-conformity in young adolescents.

This study explored how contact with gay and lesbian persons affects adolescents' attitudes toward them, and whether this association is mediated or moderated by one's acceptance of gender non-conformity. We analyzed survey responses from 456 Dutch adolescents aged 12-15 who reported having no same-sex attractions. Data were collected in 2008 at 8 schools in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

School environment and the mental health of sexual minority youths: a study among Dutch young adolescents.

Objectives: We examined whether structural elements of the school environment, in particular cultural pluralism and consistency and clarity of school rules and expectations of students, could mitigate the risk for mental health problems among young sexual minority adolescents.

Methods: Data were collected in 2008 by means of a computer-based questionnaire completed at school by 513 young Dutch adolescents (12-15 years old) during regular class times. Eleven percent of these students, who were enrolled in 8 different schools, reported having at least some feelings of same-sex attraction.