Welcome to issue 3 of volume 17 of the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling. In this issue, as with past issues, we continue to feature a blend of conceptual and empirical scholarship that highlights best practices in assessment, counseling, and advocacy across gender identity diverse and sexual-affectional identity diverse groups. Presented here are three articles that speak to the influence of childhood and adolescent experiences on the wellness and mental needs of LGBTGEQIAP people. One article, originating from a phenomenological study, highlights the needs and experiences of transgender and gender expansive youth. A second article based on survey methods focuses on the impact that cyberbullying and other negative online encounters have on the well-being of transgender adults. The third article in this theme is a conceptual primer on the needs of LGBTGEQIAP clients with experiences in the foster care system. All three pieces speak to common and unique struggles that LGBTGEQIAP+ populations face, as well as coping and resilience factors that counselors should be aware of when working with these groups.
This issue also features two additional research articles based on quantitative methods. One is an instrument development article describing a measure of stigma associated with asexual identities, and the other explores well-being disparities between sexual-affectional identity diverse people and heterosexually-identifying during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the broader scope of continued research on marginalization (or minority) stress theory, both of these research articles offer new insights into the complex relationships between personal variables, environmental context, and the well-being of diverse LGBTGEQIAP+ groups. All articles in this issue, and other issues of the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, include clear links to the professional counseling and psychology literature with implications for counseling practice, training, and research. We encourage submissions based on conceptual, qualitative, and qualitative scholarship that address diverse themes, populations, and variables associated with the needs and experiences of LGBTGEQIAP+ groups. Like the articles appearing in this issue, all submissions should have clear basis in and implications for counselors, counseling practice, and counselor training. Scholarship on the counseling needs of historically underrepresented and underserved groups within LGBTGEQIAP+ communities, such as queer people of color, intersex people, rural and elder populations, international populations, and transgender and nonbinary people across the lifespan are strongly encouraged.
Finally, we would like to reiterate our call for counselors and counselor educators to consider joining our editorial board. People with backgrounds in professional counseling are encouraged to reach out to me at [email protected] to discuss joining the board, including their familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research. Interested scholars should also see our call for submissions for two special issues. One special issue theme focuses on the needs of children and adolescents, and the other on leadership development with BIPOC counselors who are members of and allies to LGBTGEQIAP+ communities. As always, conceptual and empirical submissions are encouraged.
In solidarity,