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A Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Agency in LGBTQ plus Young Adults Who are Experiencing Homelessness
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Agency in LGBTQ plus Young Adults Who are Experiencing Homelessness

Spring Chenoa Cooper, Jama Shelton, Javier Lopez-Rios and Bryan Bogats
Social work in public health, v 40(6), pp 376-385
02 May 2025
PMID: 40314406

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Science & Technology Social Sciences Social Work
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young adults (YA) experiencing homelessness are at disproportionate risk of negative sexual health outcomes. Understanding sexual agency and risk-taking behavior of LGBTQ+ YA experiencing homelessness is critical to designing interventions that promote sexual agency and prevent HIV/STIs, sexual violence victimization, and unwanted pregnancies. To explore sexual agency among this population, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 LGBTQ+ YA (aged 18-24) experiencing homelessness in New York City. Three themes were identified from the data: 1) Communication about sexuality is high, but sexual agency is not always enacted in practice; 2) LGBTQ+ young adults seek stability in their relationships to compensate for housing instability; and 3) Adversity creates a self-sufficiency and self-priority that can trump networks and relationships. This study offers insight into the needs of LGBTQ+ YA experiencing homelessness, which can inform future interventions that work best for this unique population.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#1 No Poverty
#5 Gender Equality
#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Social Work
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