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Confidentiality

Your answers and all information provided will be confidential. If you choose to provide identifying information, this information will be held strictly confidential. We will not record your IP address or other information without your consent. The results of this study will likely be discussed in public presentations and published in peer-reviewed journals; however, data combined across groups for all who complete the survey will be used. If you offer comments, they may be used for illustration in publications and presentations, but they will not be tied to you.

Risks

We do not anticipate significant risks to you related to this study, but it is possible that some questions could be distressing. You will be asked personal questions about your alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors, mental health (including suicidality), and experiences with religion. Your participation in this study is voluntary meaning that you do not need to answer every question and that you are free to leave the study at any time by closing the browser or by clicking the exit button. If you decline to participate or stop participating in this study, there will be no negative consequences to you. Through your participation in the study, you may gain greater insight into your beliefs, practices, and attitudes.

If you find participation in the study to be distressing or are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact a mental health professional or the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Language

As one reviewer asserted, “This survey is riddled with terms and phrases that will likely offend some—even many. A virtual minefield, to be sure.” For example, terms like “same-sex attraction” and “mixed-orientation marriage” may offend or feel aversive to different groups. The authors of this study have attempted to use such phrases respectfully to be inclusive and more accurate or intentionally to assess participants’ attitudes.

The terms SSA and LGBT+ are used throughout this survey; however, we acknowledge that there are other sexual/gender identities not represented by those terms. For example, many who experience same-sex attractions (SSA) do not identify with a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) identity. As such, if you experience same-sex attractions and do not identify as LGBT, for the purposes of this study, please respond to LGBT+ as if it includes your identity. You will have a chance in the survey to provide which label fits best for you.