Gender Diversity Research Articles

NB/GQ individuals represent a distinct population with unique sexual health care needs. We characterize trends in clinic attendance, sociodemographics, STI, and drug use among NB/GQ patients at an urban SHC. We analyzed Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) SHC visit data collected between January 2016- October 2023. We used the Cochran-Armitage trend test to identify trend in reported gender identity and chi-squared tests to identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with cisgender, transgender, and NB/GQ. We evaluated the associations between gender identity and the prevalence of syphilis, urogenital gonorrhea, rectal chlamydia infection, methamphetamine, and non-prescribed injection drug use using generalized estimating equations. Of 82,384 visits, 1672 (2.0%), 867 (1.1%), and 79,845 (96.9%) were NB/GQ, transgender, and cisgender patients, respectively. From 2016-2023, the proportion of visits among NB/GQ and transgender patients increased from 0.7% to 3.5% and 0.7% to 1.7%, respectively (p-trend<0.001). NB/GQ identity was more common among patients assigned to female vs. male sex at birth (3.2% vs 1.8%, P < 0.001), younger vs older patients (14-25 years: 3.1% vs >46: 0.2%, p < 0.001), and white vs black patients (2.3% vs 1.0%, p < 0.001). Compared with MSM, NB/GQ patients had significantly lower odds of urogenital gonorrhea (aOR 0.50; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.32-0.80). The differences in rectal chlamydia (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.59-1.02) and syphilis (aOR 0.96; 95% CI 0.87-1.06) were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the NB/GQ and transgender visits. Gender diversity among SHC attendees increased significantly over the eight years. Continues monitoring is essential for tailoring STI/HIV prevention strategies.

Background: Despite progress in the representation of female cardiology trainees and physicians over time, women remain underrepresented in published cardiology literature. Research Question: Our study investigates whether gender disparities exist in authorship among the leading interventional cardiology publications over a recent ten-year period. Methods: Using interventional cardiology-associated PubMed-MeSH terms, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in PubMed from 2013 to 2022, focusing on the top eleven cardiology and interventional cardiology journals by impact factor. First authors and last authors were identified, and their genders were determined from a database of name-to-gender mappings ( Gender API; gender-api.com ). Binomial and chi-square tests were performed. Results: We identified 13,449 articles on PubMed which met the inclusion criteria. Female authors represented 16.1% of all first authors and 12.5% of all last authors, which was significantly different from the proportion of male authors (p&lt;0.001). Interventional cardiology journals demonstrated a greater bias towards male first and last authors (84.9% and 88.8%, respectively) compared to general cardiology journals (81.5% and 84.4%; p&lt;0.001). Between 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, the proportion of female first authors significantly increased over time (p&lt;0.001), while no significant change was observed in gender representation among last authors (p=0.306). Publications with a female last author were more likely to have a female first author compared to those with a male last author (22.7% versus 15.2%, respectively, p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: We analyzed the first and last author genders of interventional cardiology publications in high-impact cardiology journals over a decade and found that women remain underrepresented in both authorship positions. This effect was more pronounced in publications from interventional cardiology journals and in those with male last authors. The increase in female first authorship over time suggests progress at the early-career level, but the lack of change in last authorship reflects ongoing gaps in senior academic representation. Additional work is needed to address these disparities and identify strategies to increase female representation in interventional cardiology research, which may help elucidate barriers to gender diversity in cardiology leadership, recruitment, and academic advancement.

Background: Journal editors influence the visibility and direction of scientific research and should have adequate gender and geographic representation. Research Question: Are there disparities in gender and institutional country affiliation among editors of highly cited cardiology and cardiovascular disease journals? Methods: In May 2025, we used Scimago Journal Rankings to identify the 50 top-cited cardiology and cardiovascular disease journals worldwide from 2022 to 2024. Due to the large volume of members, general editorial board listings without defined roles were excluded. Editors’ genders and country of institutional affiliation were extracted independently and in duplicate by eight sub-investigators. An additional sub-investigator resolved any discrepancies. Gender was determined using institutional profiles and publicly available pronouns on academic or professional platforms. Country affiliation was based on the editor’s primary institution and categorized by World Bank income classification 2025, which divides countries into high-income (HIC), upper-middle income (UMIC), lower-middle income (LMIC), and low-income countries (LIC). Key journal characteristics, such as country, impact factor, and article processing charges, were also extracted in duplicate. Results: All 50 top-cited cardiology and cardiovascular disease journals identified were based in HICs. A total of 1,762 editors were included. Most editorial positions were held by men (67%), with women accounting for 28%. One editor was identified as non-binary, and the gender of 91 editors (5%) could not be determined based on publicly available information (Table 1). Pronouns were identifiable for all EIC (n=52), out of which 87% were men (n=45) and 13% were women (n=7). Ninety-five percent of editors were affiliated with institutions based in HIC, while only 5% were based in UMIC (n=71), LMIC (n=16), or LIC (n=5). The most represented countries were the US (41%), Italy (8%), and the UK (7%) (Figure 2). All EICs (100%) were affiliated with institutions based in HICs, mainly the US (52%) and the UK (10%) (Figure 3). Conclusion: Editors of top-cited cardiology journals are predominantly men affiliated with HICs. Diverse editorial leadership in academic cardiology journals is needed to reflect global perspectives in research.

Many transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth experience gender dysphoria which can exacerbate mental health risk. Gender-affirming medical interventions, such as pubertal suppression using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), primarily aim to alleviate gender dysphoria, with overall goals of optimizing wellbeing. Here we discuss prospective, longitudinal studies published in the last 5 years examining mental health outcomes of GnRHa and GAHT for TGD youth and young adults, contextualize these findings within the current socio-political climate, and elaborate on the need for robust and comprehensive gender-affirming care for TGD youth.

The Yogyakarta Principles (YPs) were produced by transnational civil society actors involved in sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) human rights activism. The document has had a significant impact on debates surrounding gender and sexual diversity in international human rights law. As such, it provided a new source, a queer source, of law for friendly actors who were already inclined to decide favourably on issues regarding SOGI rights. This article analyses the extent of the YPs’ political efficacy in the context of global governance and international law institutional mechanisms. More concretely, the main research question asks: what is the nature, or quality, of the application of the YPs by international human rights monitoring bodies? What does it tell us about their level of political influence? In responding to these questions, the article employs the analytical framework of expectation of compliance as an indicator to measure the YPs’ political efficacy. Keywords: Yogyakarta Principles; sexual orientation and gender identity; international human rights law; queer; law-making.

Board gender diversity and strategic change: integrating information and social categorization perspectives

Orgasm experience is associated with greater sexual and relational well-being within couples' relationships. In the context of a partnered sexual relationship, this dimension of the sexual response has been mainly studied from an individualistic perspective, with few studies adopting a dyadic approach. This scoping review aims to review and synthesize the literature that has examined orgasm as a predictor of sexual and relational well-being in dyadic contexts. Following the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review guidelines, a database search was conducted on EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and SciELO databases using key terms related to "orgasm" and "dyadic." A total of 280 articles were identified, and 9 fulfilled eligibility criteria and were included in this review. All studies sampled couples using a dyadic design. All studies employed cross-sectional designs and predominantly reflected different-gender/sex heterosexual couples, and all participants were cisgender. Findings showed that orgasm is consistently linked to both sexual and relational well-being in dyadic contexts. Orgasm frequency and its subjective experiences were associated with individual and partner sexual satisfaction, with some effects mediated by sexual communication. Relational outcomes were also shaped by the importance attributed to orgasm and by the (mis)perception of the partner's orgasm. Notably, gendered patterns emerged, particularly within different-gender/sex couples, highlighting the centrality of women's orgasm in shaping both partners' wellbeing. Future research might focus on orgasm as a dyadic experience, include individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and adopt daily-diary designs to capture the unique orgasm experiences as they unfold in couples' daily lives.

Abstract Background Social work has traditionally prioritized addressing risk behaviors over acknowledging the positive dimensions of everyday sexuality. It is now crucial to integrate everyday sexuality into social work practice, research, and education, while also addressing human rights and diverse gender identities. In the field of sexuality education research, there is a growing demand for the creation of healthy sexuality intervention programs grounded in critical pedagogy. Methods Using an instrumental case study, the implementation of the Photovoice for Healthy Sexuality Work Model (PVHSWM), as a critical-pedagogical tool in a youth-focused social work intervention program run by the NGO ODHS, was examined. Data was analyzed using a three-stage content analysis along with polytextual analysis. Results Four central themes which illustrate the PVHSWM implementation are presented: (1) personal boundaries; (2) gender constructions; (3) broadening the discourse—beyond the risk discourse; (4) from the personal to the public sphere. Conclusions The development and implementation of the PVHSWM reflect the proactive engagement of social workers in devising and executing innovative intervention methods for promoting healthy sexuality education among adolescents. Such initiatives address the demand in the field of sexuality education by integrating new methods grounded in critical pedagogy. Policy Implications The PVHSWM implementation carries several policy implications for the social work profession: (1) inclusion of everyday sexuality in social work education; (2) adoption of the model in school environments with collaboration between social workers and educational staff; (3) training social workers in the model to broaden the focus on everyday sexuality beyond risk behaviors or at-risk populations.

ABSTRACT Queer second-generation Arab/SWANA Americans are a rich, vibrant, and diverse community, yet, are marginalised within multiple contexts. Anti-Arab, anti-immigrant, and cisheteronormative structural norms and policies in the United States intersect with intense cultural and religious beliefs about the incompatibility of sexual and gender diversity and Arab/SWANA identity. As such, this population may seek psychotherapy services for support in managing minority stress related to oppression and disenfranchisement from multiple fronts. While visibility within the literature is increasing, there is still limited discourse on providing culturally affirming, liberatory psychotherapy that tends to address the unique concerns of queer Arab/SWANA American clients. Adames and colleagues’ Keeping Radical Healing in Mind (KRHM) therapeutic approach is particularly useful when working with this population because it centres on helping clients to combat internalised racism and oppression, connect to their cultural identities and communities, and enhance access to individual and collective strength and resistance. This paper will: (1) provide a brief introduction to relevant terminology and common Arab/SWANA cultural values; (2) identify common themes in psychotherapy with queer second-generation Arab/SWANA Americans; (3) describe the KRHM therapeutic approach and its relevance to queer second-generation Arab/SWANA Americas; and (4) apply the KRHM therapeutic approach to a composite clinical case of a queer second-generation Arab/SWANA American client.

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of board composition (BC) on sustainability reporting (SR) in financial firms listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), with a focus on the moderating role of non‐performing loans (NPLs). Using 421 firm‐year observations from 49 firms (2016–2024) and an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model, the results show that boards with more independent, female, and foreign directors are associated with higher SR disclosures. Foreign directors positively influence both environmental and social disclosures, while independent and female directors are significantly linked to social disclosures. The effect of gender diversity is stronger when boards include at least three female directors, especially when one is also independent. However, higher levels of NPLs weaken the positive impact of foreign directorship on SR. Grounded in agency, resource dependence, and critical mass theories, the study offers insights for scholars, regulators, and policymakers on the role of board diversity in promoting sustainability in the financial sector.

ABSTRACT This paper addresses an underexplored intersection of youth societal engagement and gender inclusivity. Using a large dataset of young people (15 to 30 years), we could explicitly include in the analysis a small but statistically meaningful number of youths (N = 134) who did not feel they fit into the cultural categories of ‘women’ and ‘men’ (henceforth ‘gender-diverse people’). The aim of the analysis was to compare self-identified gender-diverse and binary gender young people in actions to change society. The data involved a Spring 2024 survey in the 27 EU countries. Self-identified (potential) gender diversity was dependent on age category and on economic-cultural differences between countries. Data on participation in youth organizations showed that (potentially) gender diverse youths were not much different from the binary genders, but with one notable exception: almost none of them participated in political organizations. Yet, half of them did report actions to change society and in three areas to a higher degree than binary gender persons (inclusive societies, climate change and environmental protection, and wars and conflicts). It is preliminarily concluded that gender-diverse youths can play a valuable role to improve the wellbeing of society if they are allowed to gain visibility and respect.

Corporate governance has increasingly played as a key driver of Corporate Sustainability Performance (CSP), particularly in the increasing global demand for responsible business practices. In Malaysia, despite regulatory efforts and the introduction of sustainability reporting requirements, the incorporation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements into corporate governance frameworks remains inconsistent. This gap raises concerns about the effectiveness of existing governance mechanisms in promoting sustainable outcomes, particularly among publicly listed firms. Motivated by this concern, this paper reviews the relationship between corporate governance and corporate sustainability performance, focusing on the Malaysian context. Using a literature review approach, it delved into the effectiveness of governance mechanisms such as board independence, gender diversity, and cultural diversity in promoting sustainability. The study also explores the updates introduced in the Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance (MCCG) 2021, emphasizing stronger board oversight and the integration of sustainability into corporate strategies and operations. By highlighting these developments, the paper contributes to existing literature and provides relevant insights for investors and companies. It underscores the importance of corporate governance in enhancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, ultimately supporting the green and sustainable growth of Malaysian publicly listed firms.

This study examines how gender and grammatical proficiency affect EFL/ESL teachers’ preferences for prescriptive and descriptive approaches, as well as their opinions on regional dialects and slang. A mixed-methods design was used, involving 58 teachers (28 male, 30 female) through surveys and interviews. ANOVA and ANCOVA analyses showed no significant gender differences in prescriptive or descriptive preferences; instead, grammatical proficiency was the key factor. Teachers with higher grammatical skills displayed clearer instructional preferences and encountered fewer difficulties with prescriptive grammar. Gender differences were evident in attitudes towards dialects and slang. Female teachers more frequently valued these nonstandard forms as inclusive and engaging teaching tools, while male teachers generally avoided them. Furthermore, female educators saw greater potential in descriptive grammar, highlighting student participation and practical relevance. Overall, the results underscore the importance of enhancing grammar proficiency in teacher training, combining both prescriptive and descriptive methods, and promoting gender-sensitive practices. This research contributes to global discussions on effective grammar teaching in increasingly diverse classrooms.

Does female participation improve firm value? Board gender diversity reform and asymmetric market responses

Teamwork in agile software development: A mixed-method study of gender diversity and collaboration dynamics

Gender-responsive pedagogy is a crucial educational approach, yet science textbooks often overlook gender issues due to their focus on content mastery, which can reinforce unconscious bias. Using a liberal feminist perspective, this study analysed gender representation in 12 elementary science textbooks (Grades 4–6) from four publishers across four subjects. Text analysis revealed high gender fairness (91.42%), with neutral pronouns and terms being most common, although male-biased terms appeared more frequently, particularly in Publisher A, Grade 6, and Physics. Image analysis showed lower gender fairness (48.90%), with male-themed images being more prevalent in Physics and Chemistry sections of Publishers A and B. Overall, the text demonstrated significantly greater fairness than images, emphasising the need to address both aspects in textbook development. When combining text and image data, Grade 4 textbooks from three publishers proved the most gender fair, while two Grade 5 books from Publisher D were the least gender fair. The study recommends selecting gender-fair textbooks and encouraging teachers to implement gender-responsive pedagogy.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to probe the effect of Top Management Team (TMT) gender diversity on firm-level environmental and social performance and the extent to which this relationship is moderated by organizational slack. This study paves the way for an understanding of how gender diversity within TMTs can energize corporate social responsibility (CSR) outcomes dramatically, considering varying levels of internal strategic resources. Design/methodology/approach The study is conducted following a quantitative methodology, and information is extracted from multiple avenues such as corporate reports publications and sustainability indices. The focus of the study is on TMT gender diversity and the moderating impact of financial and employee slacks on its contributions to CSR. Regression analysis is used to verify the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Findings The results revealed that gender diversity in a TMT is positively associated with environmental and social results at the firm level. Financial slack also improves the positive path of gender diversity on environmental output, while employee slack enhances the positive path of gender diversity in social results. Originality/value The current paper makes a unique contribution to the existing literature by explaining the relationship between TMT gender diversity and CSR performance regarding organizational slack. These findings provide a subtle imposition on how upstream strategic development can synergize diversity and slack resources, suggesting meaningful information for managers interested in capitalizing on diversity within their strategic CSR.

BackgroundPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a powerful tool to prevent the transmission of HIV. Interventions promoting PrEP must focus on populations most impacted by systemic barriers to uptake. Historically, young sexual minority men and transgender women have the highest demonstrated rates of new HIV diagnoses, but prevalence within other gender minority populations is now being studied. Few interventions have focused on addressing PrEP uptake with sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, particularly through mobile health (mHealth) technologies. Built on the successful foundation of the HealthMpowerment Platform, PrEPresent aimed to engage SGM youth across diverse gender, racial, and ethnic identities in the Greater Los Angeles area.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a digital peer patient-navigation PrEP uptake app.MethodsPrEPresent incorporated patient activation theory into an mHealth intervention. The study took place over a 6-month period with visits at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The intervention period lasted from baseline to 3 months. Control participants received an information-only app. Intervention participants received an enhanced app and access to an interventionist, the PrEPresentative. Intervention participants could meet with the PrEPresentative four times over the 3-month period via phone, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant videoconferencing, or an in-app text messaging. PrEP uptake was measured through survey responses and the UrSure rapid urine test of tenofovir.ResultsPrEPresent comprised of 147 sexual and gender-diverse participants—75 participants were randomized into the control arm and 72 into the intervention arm. A total of 48% (71/147) were Latinx and 18% (27/147) were Black or African American. Most (98/147, 67%) were transgender or gender diverse, and the remaining (49/147, 33%) were cisgender men. PrEP was initiated by 25% (14/56) of intervention participants and 19% (11/58) of control participants. In total, 50% (36/72) of intervention participants completed two or more sessions with the interventionist. Intervention participants had an average of 15.93 (SD 15.85) logins compared to 6.31 (SD 9.27) logins for control participants. Average use of the mHealth platform was 9.51 (SD 11.47) minutes for intervention participants and 3.03 (SD 5.70) minutes for control participants.ConclusionsPrEPresent met primary outcome measures of feasibility and acceptability. Despite this, PrEP uptake was low, and use of the platform was low compared to other HealthMpowerment projects. While mHealth offers promising HIV prevention outcomes, fostering active app engagement is crucial in promoting behavior change. Mixed success in initiating PrEP uptake across mHealth interventions involving SGM youth warrants further inquiry into how these platforms can address prevention barriers with this population. Interventions targeting uptake and adherence will need to adapt as the landscape of PrEP delivery evolves with the adoption of on-demand and long-acting injectable modalities.

ABSTRACT Studies on queering English language teaching (ELT) from the perspective of teacher agency (TA) for social justice remain scant. This study presents an autoethnographic exploration of how I, an agender Filipino college English language teacher, (can) exercise agency for social justice by queering the English language classroom. It draws on my personal observations and reflections documented over five years (academic years 2019–2024) in a journal, utilising Pantić’s (2015) model of TA for social justice to examine the pathways I have navigated in creating an inclusive learning environment that recognises and celebrates diverse (gender) identities. Findings reveal that integrating queer perspectives into ELT requires intentional pedagogical choices, continuous self-reflection, and navigating sociocultural constraints. The research underscores the transformative role of TA in creating inclusive learning spaces that challenge gender norms and empower marginalised voices. The study contributes to the broader discourse on educational equity by offering insights for educators, policymakers, and scholars interested in promoting social justice. Although focused on a single teacher’s (my own) experiences, it highlights the need for institutional support and further research on diverse contexts. This work advocates for ongoing efforts to queer ELT practices to achieve more equitable and compassionate education systems.

In recent years, referrals of youth to specialised gender services have risen sharply, with ~11% of these youth diagnosed as autistic compared with a general population rate of ~1%. In two preregistered studies, we addressed this insufficiently understood intersection. In Study 1, we examined the number and developmental trajectory of autism traits in autistic and nonautistic gender clinic-referred and cisgender youth (aged 7-16 years) using both screening measures (Autism-Spectrum Quotient Children's Version and Autism-Spectrum Quotient Adolescent Version, Social Communication Questionnaire-Lifetime) and diagnostic tools (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism). In Study 2, we examined autism traits among the caregivers of participants from each group using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Adolescent Version. Study 1 results showed the autism phenotype in autistic gender clinic-referred youth closely resembled that of their cisgender autistic peers. In addition, after addressing methodological limitations in previous research, we found no evidence of elevated autism traits in nonautistic gender clinic-referred youth, challenging findings of some earlier studies. Study 2 provided evidence of familial aggregation of both autism traits and diagnoses among caregivers of both autistic gender clinic-referred and cisgender participants. Taken together, these findings challenge the hypothesis that autism in gender-diverse youth is merely a 'phenomimic' of autism and provide valuable clinical insights into the presentation of autism in this population.Lay abstractIn recent years, more young people have been referred to specialised gender clinics for support with their gender identity. Interestingly, about 11% of these young people are also diagnosed with autism-much higher than the general population rate of only around 1%. This overlap has raised important questions about how autism and gender diversity are related, and even whether autism traits in gender-diverse people with an autism diagnosis really reflect autism. In this research, we carried out two studies to understand this link better. In the first study, we looked at autism traits in gender-diverse children and adolescents aged 7-16 years who were referred to a gender clinic for issues with their gender identity. We compared them with both autistic and nonautistic children who were not referred to gender services. We used several standard tools to assess autism-related traits, including both questionnaires and clinical interviews. We found that gender-diverse youth who were also autistic showed similar patterns of autism traits as cisgender autistic children who were not exploring their gender. Importantly, nonautistic gender-diverse youth did not show unusually high levels of autism traits, which challenges some earlier studies that suggested they might. In the second study, we explored autism traits in the caregivers (mostly mothers) of the young people in our first study. We found that caregivers of autistic children-whether the children were gender-diverse or not-were more likely to be autistic than the caregivers of nonautistic children. Moreover, even nonautistic caregivers of autistic children displayed more autism traits than caregivers of nonautistic children, irrespective of whether their child was gender-diverse or not. Overall, our findings challenge the idea that autism in gender-diverse youth is just a mimic of 'true' autism caused by gender-related stress or experiences. Instead, the results point to genuine autism that presents in a typical way. This research provides important insights for clinicians and families, and highlights the need to take the gender-related concerns of autistic children as seriously as of nonautistic children.