Class of 2023 PhD, DSW, MSW and MSN

Fall 2023 Late Deadline: Full-Time - June 9

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Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity (CLHE)

Statement from the Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity in support of transgender and nonbinary children, adolescents and their families

health equity graphic

The Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity (CLHE) was created to lead scientific inquiry into the physical, emotional and social health of LGBTQ+ youth, adults and families, and guide best practices for achieving health equity for this population.

The work of the Center is guided by scholars, community leaders and nationally recognized experts in the field of LGBTQ+ health, who are committed to advancing research, collaboration, training and outreach activities that facilitate dialogue, broaden awareness and promote social change. Learn more about our team members.

Our vision: A world that promotes the physical, emotional and social well-being of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Download SMASI
The newly developed sexual minority adolescent stress inventory (SMASI)

Read the SMASI Report and the development of the instrument

Research shows that sexual and gender minorities (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) experience significant mental and behavioral health disparities when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Sexual minorities report significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and substance abuse, among other harmful behaviors. Many of these disparities are systemic at the family, community and societal levels.

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Our Work

We are involved in several projects, including the Military Acceptance Project, the first-ever Department of Defense-supported examination of active duty LGBTQ+ service members’ behavioral health needs.
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Learning Resources

We encourage you to view our collection of videos on issues focused on the LGBTQ+ community.
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Our Team

Our Team

The LGBTQ+ Health Equity Initiative is led by John R. Blosnich, whose primary area of expertise is disparities in suicide risk and prevention among LGBTQ+ individuals, with a specific emphasis on social determinants of health.
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Guiding Lights

The Center focuses on the following core activities:

Collaboration. A key component of the Center is the enhancement of collaborative experiences for students and scholars across the university and beyond. We continue to develop a listserv of students, faculty, and affiliates to broaden the dissemination of high quality scholarship, and promote new academic mentoring relationships and opportunities.
Science. All of the activities conducted and supported by the Center focus on improving the health of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. The faculty and students involved are responsible for identifying new research opportunities and supporting the development of applications to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal, state and foundation funding programs.
Pilot Projects. As more research with LGBTQ+ communities emerges, innovative and exploratory study is necessary. We seek to support applications for small pilot studies from students and faculty interested in research with this population. All proposals are expected to have a plan for identifying and obtaining external funding after the completion of the project.
Incubator. Although USC has some of the premier LGBTQ+ researchers in the world, many projects require the involvement of nationally recognized experts. Thus, we invite leading LGBT scholars to provide colloquium throughout the year, through both live and webinar events, and provide consultant support to students and faculty in the development of research grants.
Workforce Development. In addition to supporting rigorous research, the Center takes responsibility for developing and providing regular training opportunities throughout the community on topics relevant to research, clinical and policy practice.

We host regular virtual webinars and training opportunities - sign up here!