Although prior research has demonstrated that faith communities, religiosity, and/or religious affiliation can be risk factors for depression, suicide, and substance abuse among LGBTQ+ people, there is also promising evidence of the protective functions of faith communities for LGBTQ+ people. This study's purpose was to explore what draws LGBTQ+ people to stay in faith communities. The data were collected from a sampling pool recruited at a national conference formerly called the Gay Christian Network (GCN) conference. Our sample of 30 individuals were purposively selected in order to represent diverse views from a variety of demographic domains, many of which are underrepresented in the extant empirical literature on this topic. Qualitative data were analyzed using a procedure by Maietta and colleagues called Sort and Sift, Think and Shift. The analysis resulted in six themes: profound loss versus healing authenticity, fear of rejection versus joy of inclusion, what works for now versus heavenly bliss, isolation versus community, cultural versus not cultural, and mainstream versus marginalized. The results of the study have implications for clinical practice with LGBTQ+ individuals and offer a more nuanced understanding of both the risk and protective functions of faith communities in the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and intergenerational transmission of IPV in families are destructive social issues in need of considerable attention. Knowledge of the multi-level, complex causes, and consequences of IPV in the United States has increased significantly over the last two decades. Given these gains in learning, the authors’ aim here is to highlight recent critical and emerging theoretical perspectives on IPV. Frameworks included for application are intersectionality theory, historical trauma and decolonization, human rights, constructivist self-development theory, the posttraumatic growth paradigm, and adverse childhood experiences. This discussion will help to illuminate the dynamics of IPV that are actionable by practitioners using frameworks that promote cultural sensitivity, inclusion, and strengths-based practice with diverse populations. The authors discuss the scope of IPV while focusing on critical vulnerable people and exploring issues of relative privilege and oppression. Next, the authors review the historical body of theory informing understandings of IPV, and emerging theoretical frameworks on IPV. We offer conclusions throughout as they relate to the application of highlighted theories to IPV.

This article overviews a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) study with a sample population consisting of 470 Hispanic/Latino persons living with HIV/AIDS who received primary HIV/AIDS medical services from one of five HRSA Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Border Health demonstration projects. The study purpose was to identify multilevel barriers that affect delayed entry into HIV/AIDS medical care among Hispanic/Latino persons living along the U.S.-Mexico border. Multilevel variables along individual, community/cultural, and structural/systems were assessed relative to delayed care entry. The results of this examination indicate that individual and structural/system-level variables affect delayed care entry, whereas support was not found for community/cultural-level barriers. Study findings inform treatment engagement strategies aimed to decrease HIV disease progression by bringing Hispanic/Latinos into care sooner.

This article reviews social work challenges in treatment engagement of men who have sex with men (MSM) and details issues co-morbidity creates for reaching HIV-positive MSM engaged in substance abuse. The literature reviewed within the article identifies HIV and substance use risk factors influencing out of care dynamics and examines relevant research identifying contextual and cultural factors central to achieving cultural competence. The article examines aspects of cultural sensitivity and competence in service development and engagement and identifies service qualities and characteristics social workers can incorporate into practice and programs to increase the likelihood of successful engagement and treatment adherence.

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