How are you defining “LGBTQ+?” Can I participate in the study if I don’t identify with that label?

We use “LGBTQ+” in the broadest sense possible, to describe the entire spectrum of individuals who have experienced same-gender attractions OR who have questioned their gender at some point in time.  Some individuals find affirmation and community through terms like “gay” or “nonbinary,” whereas others do not.  We want to include all of these voices!  So if you are someone who experiences same-gender attractions (or did so previously) but still identifies as heterosexual, you definitely qualify for the study!

Does this study take a negative view of the LDS Church?

This study makes no claims, assumptions, or judgements about the LDS Church.  Our goal is to capture pathways of healing among a broad spectrum of LGBTQ+ Mormons, and we want to represent the full diversity of these pathways.  We are particularly eager to represent the voices of LGBTQ+ Mormons who have chosen to remain active in the church, because their voices are often underrepresented in studies like this.  Some of the questions concern positive and negative experiences that individuals have had in the LDS Church (because we are trying to identify factors that predict well-being over time), but the goal of the study is to foster well-being for all LGBTQ+ Mormons, regardless of their decisions about church membership.

How do I volunteer for the part of the study that is for the friends and family members of LGBTQ+ Mormons?

We will launch that component of the study in mid March, and we encourage folks to email us now at diamondlab@utah.edu so we can let you know when that component of the study begins.  In the meantime, please feel free to spread the word about this study to others that you know.

Has this study received a formal ethics review?

Yes, this study has been approved by the Institutional Research Board of the University of Utah, and the approval number is 00148863.

Is this study associated with BYU at all?

This study is not formally associated with BYU, but we have sought input and guidance from two scholars at BYU (Joey Shephard and Dr. Sarah Coyne) in order to make sure that the questionnaire is inclusive of both active and inactive LGBTQ+ Mormons.

What will the findings be used for?  How can I find out about the results?

The findings will be used to identify predictors of well-being and resilience over time among LGBTQ+ Mormons, so that we can offer evidence-based guidance about the most effective strategies for handling their unique concerns and challenges.  For example, we have included a series of questions about positive and negative experiences in therapy, so that we can learn more about the types of therapeutic support that are most beneficial.  We have also included a lot of questions about how individuals’ have handled being LGBTQ+ and Mormon at different stages of life (adolescence, their twenties, their thirties, etc.) because there is no prior research on LGBTQ+ Mormons which examines how changes over time in church activity and other life events.  We are hoping to identify some of the key features that distinguish between different pathways of healing, so that we can offer meaningful guidance to LGBTQ+ Mormons and their families about how to promote long-term thriving.

We expect to publish the findings of this research in scientific journals, but we also plan to disseminate the findings in local workshops and public meetings in Salt Lake City, and we plan to hold “live” facebook events (all participants will receive an email invitation) where participants can ask the research team for specific analyses and statistics (for example, “What’s the average age at which LGBTQ+ Mormons start questioning their sexuality?” or “How many LGBTQ+ Mormons have been married?” or “What types of experiences are associated with the best psychological well-being?” or “Are the experiences of LGBTQ+ Mormons in Utah significantly different from those outside of Utah?”  We view our participants as collaborators, and we want to put the knowledge that we gain directly into the hands of the broader community as soon as possible.

Who is doing this study?

The principal investigator is Dr. Lisa Diamond, a developmental psychologist at the University of Utah (https://psych.utah.edu/people/faculty/diamond-lisa.php).  Dr. Diamond has been on the faculty of the University of Utah for nearly 25 years, studying sexual/gender identity development and the health consequences of social connection and social exclusion.  Dr. Diamond has never been LDS herself (she was raised in Los Angeles by a Baptist mother and an atheist father, and her wife grew up in conservative Jewish household), but over her many years in Utah she has forged strong personal and professional ties with LGBTQ+ Mormons, and their unique experiences are now a central component of her work.  You can hear Dr. Diamond talk about her work with the LGBTQ+ Mormon community in the following podcasts: https://youtu.be/Q9KH1vQL7a4      https://youtu.be/Iu5JUKsPxEg

You can reach out directly to Dr. Diamond at diamondlab@utah.edu

How long will the study be going on?  Can I share information about the study?

Currently, we plan to collect data until early June.  Everyone is welcome to forward a link to the study website to whomever they wish.

How much will I receive for taking this survey?

Everyone will get a $40 Amazon gift card. It may take 4-6 weeks for us to send out each of the gift cards, and we appreciate your patience!

*Because of the incredible response rate to the survey, current participants will have to wait until mid-march to receive their gift cards. Again, thank you for your patience!*