Check out this beautiful safe-sex ad campaign by the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP), a Canadian AIDS prevention and education organization, serving the South Asian populations in... Read More »

Youth “Fight HIV – HEAD ON!” with REDHOT+ videos where they dance, sing, and share their stories!  The REDHOT+ partnership with Amplifyyourvoice.org has selected several youth-designed and directed videos that address... Read More »

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health provides insightful research outlining the effect of same-sex marriage laws on health care use and costs for gay... Read More »

“Its not where you live; its how you live,” Terrence Chappell’s mother, Marilyn, explains it well in this nicely done WBEZ piece.  Chappell is a nightlife and society columnist... Read More »

Today is the 23nd annual World AIDS Day.  What can you do to participate?

1. Know your HIV status.  Find a clinic near you where you can get free or... Read More »

The Center on Halsted in Chicago continued its SpeakOUT Series with 5 local LGBTQ hip hop artists talking about what it’s like to be queer in hip hop. Emcee... Read More »

How can we better unite the T into LGBT? This is a big issue our community’s facing, with different opinions everywhere. As part of our Community in Action campaign... Read More »

Why do women who have sex with women need birth control??? Many women who have sex with women also have sex with men, and those that do... Read More »

It may seem obvious that if you want to know someone’s sexual orientation you could simply ask them.  “Are you gay?”  But in reality it is much more complicated... Read More »

A new field guide from the Joint Commission urges US hospitals to create a more welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment that contributes to improved health care quality for lesbian,... Read More »

We make a difference in so many different ways, including being out and visible and joining up with other movements to work towards justice for everyone. We interviewed folks... Read More »

Injustice at Every Turn is a report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality.... Read More »

Sexuality and gender play a big role in shaping identity, but for much of human history how they are determined has remained unknown. How does sexual orientation... Read More »

What are the effects of hormone therapy? How do you know which pronouns to use? What are some good resources to learn more?

Whether you identify... Read More »

The Center on Halsted continued its yearlong SpeakOUT series Sept. 22 with “Hip Hop on the Down Low,” a free performance and panel discussion featuring four openly queer hip-hop... Read More »

What are the effects of hormone therapy? How do you know which pronouns to use? What are some good resources to learn more?

Whether you identify as transgender or not,... Read More »

The IMPACT Program seeks to use the research we conduct to improve the lives of people in the LGBTQ community. Our research has shown that LGBTQ young people want... Read More »

Whether you call them your bff, your buddies, or your homie, friends are important people in our lives. What do you think makes a good friend? And what do... Read More »

IMPACT Program researchers received the award for Best Senior Investigator Poster at the annual meeting of the International Academy of Sex Researchers (IASR).  Authors of the poster included... Read More »

We love it because it’s active and about all of us coming together, working together, and celebrating our greatness! Preach on, brother, and let all our identities have... Read More »

Dr. Mustanski, director of the IMPACT Program, received the distinguished scientific contribution award from the American Psychological Association Division for the Psychological Study of Lesbian,... Read More »

This year at Pride our “I heart my sexuality” campaign was back again! The focus for 2011 is “Community in Action” because engaging in advocacy for our community stems... Read More »

The answer might be more complicated than you think. Our newest video talks about the benefits and risks of oral sex, including what you need to know to protect... Read More »

According to a recent Gallup poll the average American adult believes 25% of Americans are gay or lesbian. This poll likely leads a lot of people to ask, how... Read More »

Do you want to be in the next IMPACT Program video about what you love about your sexuality? Or do you want to share why you’re a hero?... Read More »

How much do you know about women’s health and sexuality? Do you know if lesbian and bisexual women face the same health risks as straight women? What... Read More »

How much do you know about women’s health and sexuality? Do you know if lesbian and bisexual women face the same health risks as straight women? What are the... Read More »

This week we published a new study in the journal Health Psychology that found that young gay and bisexual men in serious relationships have nearly eight times the rate... Read More »

Become an expert on the female condom (FC2)! Our newest sexual health video goes over the basics of the FC2, including how you can use it for both vaginal... Read More »

Bullying and suicides... Read More »

We are proud to announce that the IMPACT Program moved to Northwestern University and we are now resident partners with the Center on Halsted.  This move represents an important... Read More »

Are you sex smart? We’ve already shared some safer sex tips in our male condom and lube videos. Now, you can check out our women’s sexual health video to... Read More »

IMPACT Program undergraduate research trainees Alan, Laurel, Elizabeth, and Caroline presented their research at the annual UIC undergraduate research forum.  Caroline presented qualitative data on youth self-reports of hormones... Read More »

Project TRACK is currently enrolling young men who have sex with men for a research study on sexual behavior and health. Help us understand issues affecting the health of... Read More »

Check out this new Irish anti homophobic bullying advertisement, created by BeLonG To , an LGBTQ youth organization in Ireland. Just like IMPACT Program and our Chicago-based young... Read More »

IMPACT team researchers Dr. Brian Mustanski, Michael Newcomb, Steve Du Bois, Steve Garcia, and our colleague Dr. Christian Grov published a new article describing current research on HIV among... Read More »

The Institute of Medicine today released its long-awaited report: The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. The National Institutes of Health... Read More »

The IMPACT Program is heading to San Francisco for the 4th annual conference on new media, youth, and sexual health.  Dr. Mustanski has attended this conference every year since... Read More »

The third Dyke March Diaries entry is about things that we love. Some of us love women, some love men, some love all genders, and we all love to... Read More »

The second Dyke March Diaries entry is about some of the different sexual identities that are included in the LGBTQ community. It is important to embrace your sexuality as... Read More »

How can you keep up with all the new articles and videos from the IMPACT program?  We made it easy for you.

1)      Join our facebook page. There you will... Read More »

We’re currently looking for young eager diverse gay, lesbian and transgender couples in the Chicago area who want to participate in short films we are producing for our “I... Read More »

The Summer Institute in LGBT Health, open to postdoctoral trainees, doctoral students and advanced Masters’ students, provides participants with foundational training in interdisciplinary theory, knowledge and methods... Read More »

The Chicago Dyke March is a grassroots mobilization and celebration of dyke, queer, and transgender resilience that takes place every year during the Chicago Pride Festival. IMPACT Program... Read More »

We received such a great response from our condom video. Many of you also had questions about lube, so we decided to make a video to share some information... Read More »

We love this video by an 80 year old grandmother who speaks about her gay son, his marriage and the effect the gay marriage debate is having on... Read More »

How much do you know about HIV? Do you know how it is and is not transmitted? Is there a vaccine that can prevent you from becoming infected? How... Read More »

This panel, hosted by the Center for American Progress, presents evidence that shows how and why families are an essential support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ... Read More »

The following is a video created by AIDS.gov that gives you (literally) a snapshot of people from across the country Facing AIDS together for World AIDS day. This video represents... Read More »

On Thursday, February 10, 2011 the UCLA Interdisciplinary Relationship Science Program and the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law & Public Policy are hosting a presentation by IMPACT Director... Read More »

During the 2011 Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association, the Rainbow Project Committee proudly announced the 2011 Rainbow List! These titles reflect signifigant gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans-gendered/queer-questioning (glbtq) experience for... Read More »

Psychiatric News is the newspaper of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).  They recently ran a story about our new study of the mental health of LGBT young people. The... Read More »

How do gay black men survive life in Dublin, Ga., Jasper, Texas, Hickory, N.C. and other places big and small in America’s South? The answers to this... Read More »

How do gay black men survive life in Dublin, Ga., Jasper, Texas, Hickory, N.C. and other places big and small in America’s South? The answers to this and other... Read More »

According to his wife Coretta Scott King, “the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We... Read More »

September 21, 2010 at Center on Halsted

This year for World AIDS Day IMPACT Program participated in the Facing AIDS campaign by including pictures of our team facing AIDS by conducting research that has an impact,... Read More »

We just published result of a study showing 95% of young men who have sex with men (MSM) make errors when using condoms. So what were some of the... Read More »

Our research has shown that sometimes youth feel pressure to get into a relationship or stay with a partner.  Sometimes people of all ages feel like they need to... Read More »

Always My Son is one of a series of short documentary films that are being produced by the Family Acceptance Project to help ethnically and religiously diverse families decrease... Read More »

All of us at the IMPACT Program wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

If you have some free time over the holidays, you may want to check... Read More »

Please help us share these positive messages by posting them to facebook, “liking” them on youtube, or by emailing them to your friends.  Sharing them on facebook is as... Read More »

Today is the 22nd annual World AIDS Day.  What can you do to participate?

1. Learn about the history of World AIDS Day.

2. Join the Facing AIDS initiative. ... Read More »

Though life DOES get better for LGBT young people, there are things we can all do to make life better now so that no one has to suffer through... Read More »

Today the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced results of the international iPrEx trial examining whether drugs used to treat HIV can also help prevent HIV infection. This approach... Read More »

The IMPACT Program is participating in the Facing AIDS campaign for World AIDS Day 2010.  We work to face AIDS by conducting research that has an impact.  View all... Read More »

We joined the celebration of the Austin Is Doing Something mural in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. The mural raises awareness of HIV and sparks dialogue around what we... Read More »

Members of the IMPACT Program are heading to Las Vegas to present research at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.  Dr. Brian Mustanski... Read More »

A new study published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics followed a group of children born to lesbian mothers for nearly 25 years to chart their psychological health and development. Previous... Read More »

The IMPACT Program is excited to welcome Dr. Michelle Birkett as a Postdoctoral Research Associate! Dr. Birkett graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a doctorate in... Read More »

Researchers published findings from the largest nationally representative study of sexual and sexual-health behaviors ever conducted. Called the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB), it is one... Read More »

The Equality Forum has put together these brief videos about 31 different LGBT icons.  The icons are selected for their achievements in their field of endeavor; for their status... Read More »

Read More »

The outpouring of videos from the It Gets Better Project has been amazing.  Here is a new one that we love.

The IMPACT Program welcomes a new Assistant Director.  George J. Greene, Ph.D., is a Community Psychologist and Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry.  From participation in national, multisite HIV-interventions, to... Read More »

In September several LGBT young people tragically took their own lives.  In the media it was reported  that they had experienced bullying, victimization, and harassment.  While the reasons why someone... Read More »

Dr. Mustanski has been appointed to a Think Tank for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on developing the social and behavioral research component of the president’s National... Read More »

Today is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.  Gay and bisexual men of all races continue to be the risk group most severely affected by HIV. A new study... Read More »

I Heart My Sexuality is a video project that aims to highlight the strengths of LGBTQ youth, instill pride in the community, and tell stories of... Read More »

This video is part of the IMPACT Program’s “I Heart My Sexuality” campaign. We interviewed LGBTQ young people at the 2010 Chicago Pride Festival and Dyke March and asked... Read More »

We set up a booth at the 2010 Chicago Pride Festival and asked people to write on card why they love their sexuality.

These images are the first phase of... Read More »

Dr. Mustanski will be moderating the event. Researchers Colleen Hoff (San Francisco State University)... Read More »

Recently a parent contacted us with some questions about her son who is very interested in wearing woman’s clothing and makeup and playing with toys that are traditionally though... Read More »

Some of the research we have done at the IMPACT Program has found that a lot (95%) of young guys make mistakes when they use  condoms.  That’s not such... Read More »

HIV: Hey, It’s Viral! Preview Trailer from Beyondmedia Education on Vimeo.

HIV: Hey, It’s Viral! is a groundbreaking sex-positive 20-minute video from Beyondmedia Education addressing HIV/AIDS prevention and ... Read More »

Want to start a GSA at your school or jump start your existing GSA?

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) has created this resource for new and already-established Gay-Straight... Read More »

The Trevor Project can help you find resources in your area.  Punch in your city or zip code and it will help you find local resources, like Community Centers,... Read More »

In 2008, Dr. Mustanski did an online training for health professionals on suicide risk and prevention among LGBT youth for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Recommended citation: Mustanski, B. (2008).... Read More »

According to the New York Times, support for allowing same-sex couples to legally marry has risen to 45 percent or more, according to national polls, and a CNN poll... Read More »

From August 2nd to 6th, 2010, Dr. Mustanski was one of 9 senior Psychologists in the field to teach at the second International LGBT Psychology Summer Institute at the... Read More »

This video shows how a peer educator in India is reaching out to members of the kothi class in India by providing a safe space for this gender minority... Read More »

Enter your address, city & state, or zip code in the box below to find a clinic or provider near you where you can get an HIV test, prevention... Read More »

To find clinics where you can get free or low cost STD testing CLICK HERE.

How easy is this?  Send a text message with your zip code  to 566948 (KNOW IT) and they will text you back with HIV testing sites near you.  Many... Read More »

A federal judge in San Francisco decided today that gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry, striking down Proposition 8, the California  ballot measure that banned same-sex... Read More »

Watch more videos from MTV’s GYT campaign at http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/videos

How much do you know about HIV? Do you know how it is and is not transmitted? Is there a vaccine that can prevent you from becoming infected? How... Read More »

President Obama has announced the release of the first ever National AIDS Strategy.

You can download the strategy and implementation plan here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/nhas

One of the biggest changes with the new... Read More »

The Fenway Health Center in Boston has an excellent resource page on bisexual health. This includes a PDF of a flyer with information about safer sex for bisexuals... Read More »

University of Illiniois at Chicago was among only a handful of institutions of higher education in Illinois to receive an “A” for policies regarding LGBTQ individuals. The annual assessment,... Read More »

What is bisexuality?  How do you define it and who fits that label?  Dr. Brian Dodge, an expert in bisexuality, answers these questions. Dr. Dodge is the Associate Director... Read More »

Dr. Brian Dodge of Indiana University answers the question, what is bisexuality? This interview with Dr. Brian Mustanski was filmed at a recent research conference.

Why do you love your Sexuality? Come tell us at the IMPACT booth at Chicago Pride Fest on Friday, June 25, 3 – 10 pm, and Saturday,... Read More »

Join us at Chicago Pride Fest June 25 and 26, 2010

Record a video about why you are proud of your sexual orientation.

Why do you love your Sexuality? Come tell us at the IMPACT booth at Chicago Pride Fest on Friday, June 25, 3 – 10 pm, and Saturday, June... Read More »

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to use the occasion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month to announce its new policy guidelines regarding gender change in passports... Read More »

Is bisexuality the same in men and women? Dr. Brian Dodge of Indiana University discusses gender differences in bisexuality. He is interviewed by Dr. Brian Mustanski, Director of the... Read More »

A new study published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics followed a group of children born to lesbian mothers for nearly 25 years to chart their psychological health and development.... Read More »

President Barack Obama issues a presidential proclamation declaring June to be LGBT pride month.  During the month of June the IMPACT Program will be sharing stories of being... Read More »

The Chicago Female Condom Campaign says, “Put a ring on it!” Get the 411 on female condoms, including a great video from Sisters Empowering Sisters. Click here... Read More »

The American Psychological Association’s Science Directorate just announced its selection of Sarah Johnson, PhD as the incoming 2010-2011 APA Executive Branch Science Fellow.  Dr. Johnson is a social psychologist... Read More »

In a study reported in the February 2010 issue of the Journal of Family Psychology, researchers conducted an online survey of over 2,000 LGB individuals to examine outcomes associated... Read More »

The Illinois House of Representatives just voted by 108-0 to pass SB3266, which will require schools to fight bullying in schools by adopting anti-bullying policies, creating resistance education and... Read More »

A comprehensive review of research on LGB adolescent health was published last month in the Annual Review of Public Health. The article included a list of recommendations for health... Read More »

IMPACT Program undergraduate student Samantha DeHaan was awarded first place for her paper in the second annual UIC Lavender Research Forum. The forum was organized by the UIC... Read More »

Australia’s largest LGBT community-based health organization, ACON, has just released a first-of-its kind workbook for young, same-sex attracted women: The Birds & the Birds: The Lesbian Sex Workbook. ... Read More »

Like members of all types of groups, transgender individuals have unique health needs. An understanding of, and sensitivity to, these needs is necessary for supporting the health of... Read More »

Research often finds that LGBT adolescents experience greater mental health problems, such as depression, compared to their heterosexual peers. Many psychologists suggest these disparities likely result from the... Read More »

Lesbian and bisexual women may face greater risk for cancer. Find out why and how you can reduce your risk with this helpful factsheet from the American Cancer Society.

This latest CDC report highlights the disproportionate impact of HIV among gay and bisexual men. Read more on our Findings page.

March 28-April 3, 2010 is the 8th annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week, presented by the National Coalition for LGBT Health. Check it out at http://www.lgbthealth.net/awarenessweek10/ and raise... Read More »

Our new website is live as of March 19th, 2010! Explore and enjoy!

Read all the recent IMPACT Program publications on health information through our Pubmed link on our Youth Resources page.

IMPACT Program’s very own Michael Newcomb has a new article out on internalized homophobia! Click on the link to the article summary in Psychology Today on our ... Read More »

Watch Brian Mustanski’s Presentation on Suicide Risk and Prevention in LGBT Youth through the link on our Youth Resources page.

Watch videos of people telling their story about becoming infected and living with HIV through our link to The Positive Project from our Youth Resources page.

Look up HIV Testing Sites Near You from the link on our Youth Resources Page!

Get Yourself Tested (GYT) after checking out a website for young people about HIV and STD’s made by MTV and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Click on... Read More »

Chicago-based Affinity Community Services is a non-profit organization serving Chicago’s black lesbian and bisexual women’s community through a combination of educational, social and community collaborations. For more information,... Read More »

The Chicago-based Center on Halsted has a wide range of LGTBQ services, including specially designed youth programming. For more information, click on the Center on Halsted Youth Programs... Read More »

Chicago-based TPAN (Test Positive Awareness Network) empowers people living with HIV through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and advocacy. They also provide services to the broader community to... Read More »

Chicago’s Howard Brown Health Center has many services just for youth, including the Broadway Youth Center, GED Program, Mentor Program, and the PATH Program for HIV+ youth. Check... Read More »

Check out a website full of blogs and other good stuff made by LGBTQ young people for LGBTQ young people. Click on Amplify’s Youth Resource link on... Read More »

Chicago-based Beyondmedia Education’s mission is to collaborate with under-served and under-represented women, youth and communities to tell their stories, connect their stories to the world around us, and organize... Read More »

Chicago-based Calor has a wide range of bilingual (Spanish and English) services, including case management, mental health services, HIV and STD prevention and education, employment services, and more. ... Read More »

Chicago-based Project VIDA/ Project LIFE was founded in 1992 to address the urgent needs of racial and ethnic minorities. Initially, the agency provided HIV education through street outreach services... Read More »

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) has posted 10 things lesbians should discuss with their healthcare providers. Can you guess the 10? Have you discussed these... Read More »

Chicago-based Vida/SIDA works from the Humboldt Park Neighborhood and offers HIV and STD testing as well as support groups to provide a safe space for LGBTQ community youth and... Read More »

Check out the US. Department of Health and Human Services’ page on Lesbian Health through our Youth Resources page.

If you’re thinking about having sex, check out the link to NHS Human Services from our Youth Resources Page.

Check out videos by youth and for youth about sex, sexuality, and health from Scenarios USA through our Youth Resources page.

Check out some funny videos about teen sexuality from the Midwest Teen Sex Show link on the Youth Resources page!

Play games and learn about sexual well-being through the Sexuality and U link on our Youth Resources page.

Play a game about HIV/AIDS for young gay and bisexual men through the My Sexy City link on our Youth Resources page.

Look up the facts about STD’s from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) link on our Youth Resources page.

Find out everything about HIV from The Body website link on our Youth Resources page.

If you meet sexual partners online make sure to protect yourself. Check out some tips from the Hooking Up Online link on our Youth Resources page.

Hear stories about HIV from around the globe from the Face of Aids link on our Youth Resources page!

This website is made especially for young people, with a section specifically targeted to LGBTQ youth. Check out the Planned Parenthood Teen-Talk link on the Youth Resources... Read More »

Check out the Kinsey Institute blog that has a lot of questions and answers about sex and sexuality on the Youth Resources page!

Click on the link to the American Psychological Association’s page about sexual orientation and gender identity on our Youth Resources page.

Click on the link to LGBT youth Gabcast for tons of youth podcasts through our Youth Resources Page!

A discussion with Dr. Ritch Savin-Williams about parenting a gay, lesbian, or bisexual youth. The discussion focuses on parents’ reactions to their children coming out.

Dr. Savin-Williams is... Read More »

A discussion with Dr. Ritch Savin-Williams about coming out to parents. Dr. Savin-Williams is professor and chair of Human Development at Cornell University. He is the author... Read More »

Abstract Aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19), which is necessary for the conversion of androgens to estrogens, plays an important role in the sexual differentiation of the brain. To investigate whether differences... Read More »