UWG Researchers Seek Survey Participants from LGBT Community

Sociologists at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton are conducting research into the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Two confidential questionnaires are on SurveyMonkey.

The first survey examines parents in same-sex relationships.

Researchers said an important part of the project is to determine how people feel about identities that are associated with being in these relationships.

The survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UWGparentingsurvey. The deadline for completing the parents survey has not been determined.

For questions, participants may contact the principal researchers: Associate Professor of Sociology Laurel Holland at 678-839-6331 or lholland@westga.edu; or Assistant Professor of Sociology Pam Hunt at 678-839-6336 or email: phunt@westga.edu.

The second survey explores the connection between same sex domestic violence and police response. It can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UWGperceptions.

The deadline for completing the authorities survey is Feb. 28, 2011.

Researchers said an important part of this project is to determine how people feel about the identities associated with authority figures and identities associated with the LGBT communities.

The information provided by participants will help sociologists understand relationships between authorities and same sex couples.

If participants have any questions about the study they may contact Sarah Bozeman Rhine at sbozema1@my.westga.edu or her advisor Pam Hunt.

Participation in either survey is voluntary. Participants may decline or not answer certain questions or withdraw at anytime. If participants choose to withdraw before completing the survey the information provided will be used, unless researchers are asked to destroy it.

Researchers in both projects stressed that no names or other indentifying information will be used. Also, no references to individuals will be made in any part of either study. No individual’s response will be linked to the results.

Each survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Written reports of both surveys will be available in the next year.

If participants are interested in reading a report of the findings, they may e-mail one of the researchers involved in the particular survey and provide a name and address. This information will not be linked to the surveys.

As an incentive for completing the questionnaires, participants will be entered in a pool to win a Visa Gift Card. At the end of the survey participants may enter their names, e-mail or phone numbers. This information will not be connected with participants’ answers. The Visa incentive ends on Feb. 28, 2011.

Participants in the parenting survey will be entered in a pool to win a $100 gift card. Those in the LGBT authority figure survey will be in a pool to win a $50 gift card.

Ministers condemn act of hatred against local gay man

by Amanda Thomas/Times-Georgian

As investigators try to find out who targeted a Carroll County man in an alleged hate crime that appears to be fueled by anti-gay religious rhetoric, local spiritual leaders are speaking out against the act and reaching out to the victim.

Keith Jiles, pastor of Word of Life Gospel Ministries in Carrollton, said he reacted with disbelief when he heard that Christopher Staples’ home on Alvin Drive was burned Sunday morning after a large rock wrapped with a threatening note containing anti-gay slurs was thrown through a window the house Saturday night.

Jiles said the church will help by rebuilding Staples’ home.

“You always hear about things like this happening somewhere else, but not in your own community,” he said. “I am saddened to think that someone in our community could have this much hatred toward another person. However, it is at times like this that the church has the opportunity and responsibility to rise and shine. After all, this is what Christ commands Christians to do.”

Jiles said churches often travel far and wide to fulfill the great commission, but in the process, may neglect their communities. He also referenced pastors who get so caught up in saving the world that they neglect their own families.

“We must realize that God places us in our communities for a reason and that is to reach out and make an impact on the community in which we live,” he said. “This is neither about Chris, nor about the crimes that were committed. This is about the church being a light unto the world and reaching out and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This is about allowing Chris, our community and the person or people responsible for this crime the opportunity to witness firsthand the Love and Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Larry Massey, the pastor of Life on the Word in Carrollton is thankful that Staples was not hurt.

“I definitely hate anything like that to happen to anybody,” Massey said.

While a person may not approve a someone’s lifestyle, he feels it is important for to make a distinction between the person and the way they life their lives because everyone is “precious in God’s sight.”

“I’ll definitely have our church praying for him,” Massey said.

University of West Georgia psychology professor Daniel Helminiak believes the anti-gay religious movement plays a major role in allowing violence against gay and lesbian people. Helminiak is an advisor for LAMBDA, the university’s only gay-straight alliance organization and wrote the best-selling book, “What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality.”

To read more go to:

http://times-georgian.com/view/full_story/11116411/article-Ministers-condemn-act-of-hatred-against-local-gay-man?instance=west_ga_news