Our Mission

The Lavender Lab, led by Dr. Ethan Mereish, conducts NIH-funded research on the psychological, social, and cultural determinants of suicide, substance use, and other health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also focus on identifying factors and interventions that promote resilience among LGBTQ and BIPOC adolescents and young adults. We leverage multiple methodologies, including experimental laboratory and experience sampling methods as well as qualitative methods.

Members of marginalized or stigmatized groups frequently experience unique stressors associated with their identity and related sources of oppression, including discrimination, harassment, violence, microaggressions, internalized stigma, identity concealment, and structural oppression (e.g., structural racism, heterosexism, sexism, cissexism). These types of stressors are often referred to oppression-based stressors or "minority stressors” and have negative impacts on health and health behaviors. The Lavender Lab is particularly interested in individuals' experiences with oppression-based stress and its effects on mental health and substance use as well as factors and interventions that can promote resilience and resistance of oppression.

Our work is informed by intersectionality theory and has a grounded commitment to social justice and health equity.