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BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of psychological distress on the associations between two forms of harassment, military sexual trauma (MST) and sexual orientation-based discrimination (SOBD), and alcohol use in a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) military personnel. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 254 LGB military service members in the United States. Bivariate associations were examined between MST, SOBD, anxiety and depression, distress in response to stressful military events, and alcohol use. A latent psychological distress factor was estimated using anxiety and depression, and distress in response to stressful military events. Path analyses were used to estimate the direct effects of MST and SOBD on alcohol use and the indirect effects of MST and SOBD on alcohol use through psychological distress. RESULTS: All bivariate associations were positive and significant between MST, SOBD, anxiety and depression, distress in response to military events, and alcohol use. In multivariable analyses, after adjusting for demographic covariates, a significant indirect effect was observed for SOBD on alcohol use through psychological distress. MST was not directly or indirectly associated with alcohol use when SOBD was included in the path model. CONCLUSION: Overall, findings suggest SOBD is associated with poorer mental health, which in turn places LGB military personnel at greater risk of alcohol use and associated problems. These results affirm the need for interventions that reduce SOBD in the military and suggest that these interventions will have a positive impact on the health of LGB military personnel.

This study examined associations between structural racism, anti‐LGBTQ policies, and suicide risk among young sexual minority men (SMM). Participants were a 2017–2018 Internet‐based U.S. national sample of 497 Black and 1536 White SMM (ages 16–25). Structural equation modeling tested associations from indicators of structural racism, anti‐LGBTQ policies, and their interaction to suicide risk factors. For Black participants, structural racism and anti‐LGBTQ policies were significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms, heavy drinking, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, self‐harm, and suicide attempt. There were significant interaction effects: Positive associations between structural racism and several outcomes were stronger for Black participants in high anti‐LGBTQ policy states. Structural racism, anti‐LGBTQ policies, and their interaction were not significantly associated with suicide risk for White SMM.