Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being

This viewpoint article explores how volunteerism and civic engagement are rapidly changing among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender expansive, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) people who volunteer. The article provides commentary, a historical overview, a critical analysis of the literature, and an inter...

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Main Authors: Trevor G. Gates, Samantha Lillie, Callico Vargas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Psychosexual Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318241256461
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author Trevor G. Gates
Samantha Lillie
Callico Vargas
author_facet Trevor G. Gates
Samantha Lillie
Callico Vargas
author_sort Trevor G. Gates
collection DOAJ
description This viewpoint article explores how volunteerism and civic engagement are rapidly changing among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender expansive, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) people who volunteer. The article provides commentary, a historical overview, a critical analysis of the literature, and an interpretation of the changing social mores toward LGBTQ+ people in the United States. We discuss the importance of engagement with the LGBTQ+ community as being crucial to identity development. LGBTQ+ volunteerism literature suggests that feeling connected to the LGBTQ+ community is the most important predictor of civic engagement and volunteering. References to existing literature are provided, along with recommendations for future research. In this article, we explore how to best engage LGBTQ+ volunteers, taking into account their cultural, linguistic, and other identities. We argue that voluntary organizations and communities should examine how they are meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ volunteers.
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series Journal of Psychosexual Health
spelling doaj-art-c033400f64dc4122aaff0a02237ffecc2025-08-20T03:32:11ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Psychosexual Health2631-83182631-83262025-04-01710.1177/26318318241256461Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-beingTrevor G. Gates0Samantha Lillie1Callico Vargas2 School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia Medical and Behavioral Health Division, Pueblo Community College, Pueblo, CO, USAThis viewpoint article explores how volunteerism and civic engagement are rapidly changing among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender expansive, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) people who volunteer. The article provides commentary, a historical overview, a critical analysis of the literature, and an interpretation of the changing social mores toward LGBTQ+ people in the United States. We discuss the importance of engagement with the LGBTQ+ community as being crucial to identity development. LGBTQ+ volunteerism literature suggests that feeling connected to the LGBTQ+ community is the most important predictor of civic engagement and volunteering. References to existing literature are provided, along with recommendations for future research. In this article, we explore how to best engage LGBTQ+ volunteers, taking into account their cultural, linguistic, and other identities. We argue that voluntary organizations and communities should examine how they are meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ volunteers.https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318241256461
spellingShingle Trevor G. Gates
Samantha Lillie
Callico Vargas
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
Journal of Psychosexual Health
title Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
title_full Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
title_fullStr Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
title_full_unstemmed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
title_short Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Gender Expansive, and Queer+ Volunteerism in the United States: Social Needs, Civic Engagement, and Psychosocial Well-being
title_sort lesbian gay bisexual transgender gender expansive and queer volunteerism in the united states social needs civic engagement and psychosocial well being
url https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318241256461
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