LGBTQ+ Populations

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How Florida's Expansion of 'Don't Say Gay' Law Will Hurt Students and Teachers Across the United States

Policies restricting discussion of LGBTQ+ issues and representation of LGBTQ+ individuals are likely to make schools less welcoming to America's estimated two million LGBTQ+ youth. Policymakers should develop policies that cultivate learning and work environments where all students and educators feel safe and valued.

Ashley Woo, Melissa Kay Diliberti

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Collect Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Health Surveys

The Biden administration wants to promote programs and policies informed by science and to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. For researchers to confidently answer that call, the first step is for the government to consistently collect sexual orientation and gender identity data.

Sarah MacCarthy, Marc N. Elliott

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Military Must Better Understand Sexual Assaults to Combat Them

Sexual minorities in the U.S. military represent about 12 percent of the active-duty population. But they account for an estimated 43 percent of those who are sexually assaulted. This raises critical questions for the Pentagon as it tries to reduce the 20,000 sexual assaults in the ranks each year.

Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral, Terry L. Schell

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Sexual Assault in the Military, School Security, Mental Health Care: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the risk of sexual assault to sexual minorities in the U.S. military, making medication treatment more accessible to people struggling with opioid addiction, countering Russian propaganda, and more.

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Prescription Drug Prices, Transgender Troops, Space Diplomacy: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on America's high prescription drug prices, allowing transgender troops in the military, food insecurity in Black neighborhoods, and more.

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What the First-Ever EU LGBTIQ Strategy Means for Rainbow Families with Children

Rainbow families can face challenges because of ongoing discrimination against LGBTIQ people. The first-ever EU strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, nonbinary, intersex, and queer equality unveiled in November sets out actions and initiatives to ensure the safety and equal rights of LGBTIQ people in the EU.

Natalie Picken

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When It Comes to U.S. Health Systems—Diversity Matters

Health care systems are a powerful and relatively well-resourced stakeholder in the effort to eliminate inequities both among the health workforce and among patient populations. The deliberate practice of increasing diversity within the workplace may have the power to create significant, positive impacts on workplace culture and patient care.

Ryan E. Tsuchida, Sydney Fouche, et al.

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Public Health Lessons on Intimate Partner Violence Tucked into Tiger King

Substantial work has been done to figure out how best to address intimate partner violence, but with limited attention regarding how best to meet the unique needs of gay, lesbian, and bisexual victims. The popularity of Netflix's Tiger King, and its depiction of intimate partner violence between Joe Exotic and his two husbands, could help to focus attention on a very real, and often hidden, problem.

Sarah MacCarthy

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Public Health Reasons to Tune Into TV's 'Dear White People'

The Netflix series Dear White People shows how sexual decisionmaking can be influenced by race, status, and the power dynamics within a relationship. Public health programs and policies could be better tailored to account for this complexity.

Sarah MacCarthy

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On RAND's Research Findings Regarding Transgender Military Personnel Policy

In September 2015, the Department of Defense asked RAND to initiate a study on the implications of allowing transgender personnel to serve openly. Since its publication, the research has been widely viewed as the most comprehensive and authoritative analysis on this topic. RAND stands by the study's research approach, analysis, and findings.

Agnes Gereben Schaefer

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Transgender Troops: Fit to Serve

The Pentagon's decision to open the ranks to transgender service members was informed by months of RAND research into the costs and numbers involved.

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Revisiting Restrictions on Blood Donations from Gay and Bisexual Men

The FDA does not accept blood from male donors who have had sex with a man in the last 12 months. Is this restriction supported by scientific evidence? Or, is it related to lingering stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS?

Sarah MacCarthy

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At the 2016 Oscars, Transgender Health Issues Are in the Spotlight

By inviting 'The Danish Girl' to Hollywood's most prestigious awards party, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is helping to shine a spotlight on transgender issues – and reflecting a larger cultural moment at the same time.

Sarah MacCarthy

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Gay Marriage Gains Support, but It's Still a Partisan Issue

Survey data provides evidence that the majority of American voters support the legalization of gay marriage and think it should be decided at the federal level. Republicans are substantially less likely to support legalization, and lower income, lower educational attainment, being older, and being non-white are significantly associated with lower levels of support.

Katherine Grace Carman, Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard

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A Year After Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Despite the fears of some, but in line with the experience of every other institution, both in the US and abroad, that has experienced such a transition, there have been no significant problems, writes Bernard Rostker.

Bernard D. Rostker

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Gulf States Among Top in New HIV, AIDS Cases

Improving HIV prevention and medical care delivery to persons living with HIV/AIDS should be a collaborative effort, particularly in the Gulf States region, where resources are limited but the epidemic is expanding, writes Vivian Towe.

Vivian L. Towe

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Gays in the Military: New Facts Conquer Old Taboos

RAND's updated research on sexual orientation and U.S. military personnel policy played a role in the likely repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' But it also tells a story of how public opinion has shifted on the issue since we first studied it in 1993.

Bernard D. Rostker, Susan D. Hosek, et al.