Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being

Trevor G. Gates; Samantha Lillie; Callico Vargas

doi:10.1177/26318318241256461

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being

Trevor G. Gates, Samantha Lillie and Callico Vargas

Journal of Psychosexual Health, Vol.7(2), pp.180-186

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318241256461

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

volunteerism

civic engagement

sexual orientation

gender identity

LGBTQ+

UniSC Diversity Area - LGBTIQ+ and Community

UniSC Diversity Area - Gender Equity

This viewpoint article explores how volunteerism and civic engagement are rapidly changing among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender expansive, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) people who volunteer. The article provides commentary, a historical overview, a critical analysis of the literature, and an interpretation of the changing social mores toward LGBTQ+ people in the United States. We discuss the importance of engagement with the LGBTQ+ community as being crucial to identity development. LGBTQ+ volunteerism literature suggests that feeling connected to the LGBTQ+ community is the most important predictor of civic engagement and volunteering. References to existing literature are provided, along with recommendations for future research. In this article, we explore how to best engage LGBTQ+ volunteers, taking into account their cultural, linguistic, and other identities. We argue that voluntary organizations and communities should examine how they are meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ volunteers.

Details

Title: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
Authors: Trevor G. Gates (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
Samantha Lillie - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
Callico Vargas - Pueblo Community College
Publication details: Journal of Psychosexual Health, Vol.7(2), pp.180-186
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1177/26318318241256461
ISSN: 2631-8326; 2631-8318
Copyright note: © 2025 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Organisation Unit: School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991112035002621
Output Type: Journal article

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