This study investigates the relationship between sexual minority discriminatory sentiment and Christian rhetoric, specifically biblical sermons, speeches, discourse, words declaring LGBTQ+ identities are immoral and condemned by God. Answering Christian rhetoric's absorption/impact in public spaces, drawing from the rhetorical human engagement and education/pedagogical theories of scholars Kenneth Burke, Lisa Blankenship, and Krista Ratcliffe, this study argues rhetorical identification, rhetorical empathy, and rhetorical listening, respectively, function to help mitigate discriminatory sentiment. Building on the Garrett-Walker and Torres study, "Negative Religious Rhetoric in the Lives of Black Cisgender Queer Emerging Adult Men: A Qualitative Analysis," this research employs Momentive survey technology and qualitative interviews to document/measure the impact of human engagement and pedagogical rhetorical theories on discriminatory sentiment mitigation. Research results suggest (1) a strong positive correlative relationship between Christian rhetoric and discriminatory sentiment and (2) that rhetorical theories of human engagement and education help mitigate discriminatory sentiment, effectively transcending hostility, division, and differences. The conclusion highlights the need for further studies focused on mitigating discriminatory sentiment and advocating for socio-political acceptance and justice for sexual minorities.

This paper (re)tells the story of the 1997 S.C. Gay and Lesbian Pride March held in the City of Greenville just one year after Greenville County Council passed a resolution condemning “lifestyles advocated by the gay community” (Greenville County Council, Resolution No. 96-014). Through analyzing issues of In Unison, a Columbia-based alternative lifestyle magazine, this paper questions how local forms of alternative media, particularly those queer in nature, complicate dominant historical narratives and, interrelatedly, serve as a powerful means to record histories un(der)reported. In identifying how gay and lesbian communities portrayed in In Unison organized, reported, and reflected on the 1997 S.C. Gay and Lesbian Pride March – and the events leading up to it– this paper additionally stands to disrupt both historical and contemporary narratives that present the U.S. South, specifically its heavily conservative locales, as devoid of queer life, culture, and community.

Melissa Treanor Graduate Student, Applied Sociology, Georgia State University. Targeting Nutrition Insecurity Though Data: A Research Project in Support of Georgia Community Organizations Access to good nutrition is essential to overall health and well-being, playing a significant role in reducing diet-related illnesses like diabetes, obesity, hypertension and stroke. However, barriers exist that prevent low-income individuals and families from accessing nutritious food and acquiring the skills needed for healthy meal preparation. With support from the Public Interest Data Literacy (PIDLit) grant, the Georgia State University Sociology Domestic Field School program partnered with various community organizations to collect and analyze data in hopes of improving their impact. This presentation highlights insights from focus group interviews conducted by Wholesome Wave Georgia, an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity through community-driven programs. Via qualitative analysis facilitated using NVivo analytic software, the researchers identified key themes from the focus group data, with an aim of helping Wholesome Wave Georgia maximize the effectiveness of their programming via increasing public awareness, identifying barriers to success for participants, and highlighting behavior changes the participants undertook while enrolled. Findings suggest that financial constraints, while significant, are not the sole obstacle to healthy eating. Participants identified challenges such as limited knowledge of fresh produce storage and preparation. Despite these barriers, participants reported several positive outcomes, including increased confidence in preparing nutritious meals, stronger community connections, and greater enthusiasm for healthy eating. These insights provide actionable recommendations for improving food insecurity interventions and fostering lasting behavior change in Georgia communities.

Each year, over 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system, with approximately 100,000 facing challenges like homelessness, unemployment, and lack of access to essential resources over five years. Despite growing attention from nonprofit organizations and policymakers, the needs of these youth remain inadequately addressed, leaving them vulnerable during their transition to adulthood. The authors contend that customized interventions tailored to foster youth’s unique circumstances are essential for holistic life improvement. While prior research highlights the importance of targeted interventions, limited empirical evidence exists on their impact on life outcomes. To address this gap, the authors conducted a longitudinal field study in collaboration with a nonprofit organization. The study aimed to (1) Identify key existential challenges faced by youth aging out of foster care, (2) Develop the LIFE Index informed by challenges, (3) Apply marketing principles to design customized interventions, and (4) Measure outcomes in terms of mitigating challenges and improvement in the overall quality of life. The conceptual framework (Figure 1) shows how the LIFE index accesses needs, tailors interventions, and measures outcomes to improve youths well being. Preliminary findings reveal significant gaps in financial literacy, emotional resilience, and life skills, such as securing stable housing and income. While education poses fewer challenges, fostering career stability remains crucial. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve foster youth outcomes. Overall, this research highlights how marketing’s potential to drive societal change, offering actionable insights for nonprofits and policymakers to empower foster youth and improve their life outcomes. Use this link to view abstract framework diagram: https://mygsu-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/dneptune_gsu_edu/EYxf1JMvutZEmx8tMT0NhIsBbQJBFw-4WjMySoCis54apw?e=Hp4c23