ABSTRACT
Researchers interested in conducting studies with self-identified gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) adolescents, or with youths who are gender variant or experience same-sex attractions and behaviors without labeling themselves, face challenges in securing adequate samples of youths and the approval of university Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for their studies. Multiple studies with sexual minority adolescents have included samples that were predominantly male, 18 years of age or older, and drawn from metropolitan or college-based GLBT groups or agencies (D’Augelli & Hershberger, 1993; Grossman & Kerner, 1998; Herdt & Boxer, 1993; Proctor & Groze, 1994; SavinWilliams, 1990, 1998; Telljohann & Price, 1993). Many studies focused exclusively on young gay and bisexual males, such as investigations of HIV risk behaviors (McNall & Remafedi, 1999; RotheramBorus et al., 1994), suicidality (Remafedi, Farrow, & Deisher, 1991; Rotheram-Borus, Hunter, & Rosario, 1994; Schneider, Farberow, & Kruks, 1989), multiple problem behaviors (Rosario, Rotheram-Borus, & Reid, 1996; Rotheram-Borus, Rosario, Van Rossem, Reid, & Gillis, 1995), and identity development (Anderson, 1998; Dubé, 2000; Edwards, 1996; Newman & Muzzonigro, 1993; Savin-Williams, 1998). Few investigations have centered on young lesbians and bisexual women (Diamond, 1998; Schneider, 1989).
