California State University, Fullerton 
Research Study Consent Form 
 
Study Title:    Experiences of Queer Second Adolescence   
Protocol Number:   HSR- 23-24-106 
Researchers: Dr. Kristin Beals, Dr. Jessica Tessler, Prof. Michael Baker, Prof. Amanda Perry, Natalie Huerta, Lex Costello, Tyler Greening, Adina Corke, Alyssa Hanson, Abel Martin Vargas, Cailyn Ladanyi, Alex Richey, Vanessa Lau, Hailey Schrage, Ambrose Bith, Aria Sie, and Sarah Smith.

You are being asked to take part in a research study carried out by Dr. Kristin Beals and her research team, the Q-Lab. This consent form explains the research study and your part in it if you decide to join the study.  Please read the form carefully, taking as much time as you need.  Ask the researcher to explain anything you don’t understand. You can decide not to join the study. If you join the study, you can change your mind later and leave the study at any time.  There will be no penalty or loss of services or benefits if you decide to not take part in the study.   
What is this study about? 
The purpose of this research study is to explore and examine the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals who came out later in life by conducting interviews via Zoom. You are being asked to participate in this study because you are an LGBTQ+ individual who came out later in life, lives in the United States and you are age 18+.  
Taking part in the study will take place in two phases. Completing the eligibility screening will take 5-10 minutes. If you are eligible, you may be asked to return for an online interview, the interview will take approximately 1 hour. 
If you do not pass a short pre-screening questionnaire to confirm your eligibility, you will not be contacted and will be removed from the study. Please note that the number of participants who will be contacted for an interview is limited, even if you do meet the eligibility criteria you may not be contacted and will be removed from the study. 
You cannot take part in this study if you are under the age of 18, you do not live in the United States, you are heterosexual & heteroromantic, or if you are an LGBTQ+ person who came out early in life. 
What will I be asked to do if I am in this study? 
If you take part in the research study, you will be asked to: 
  • Complete an eligibility survey. This survey will ask for your demographics, contact information, and questions relating to your LGBTQ+ identity. The eligibility screening will take approximately 5-10 minutes.  
  • If contacted, interviews will take approximately 1 hour. Interviews will include questions regarding your coming out experiences, realizing your identity, and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Interviews will take place online via Zoom and will have audio recorded. 
  • You are volunteer who may choose to not answer a question(s) or withdraw completely at any time.
Are there any benefits to me if I am in this study? 
There is no direct benefit to you from being in this study. However, your participation in the study may help us better understand the experiences of individuals who came out later in life. 
Are there any risks to me if I am in this study? 
This protocol contains no foreseeable risks.
Will my information be kept anonymous or confidential? 
The data for this study will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by law. No published results will identify you, and your name will not be associated with the findings. Under certain circumstances, information that identifies you may be released for internal and external reviews of this project.
Interviews will take place online via Zoom and will have audio recorded. Prior to being interviewed, participants will complete an additional consent form regarding audio recording.
Confidentiality will be maintained by storing your responses in a password-protected file. Data will be stored on a password protected computer. Identifying information will be kept separately from other data.
Data will be stored for a minimum of three years as required; individuals may keep the data indefinitely. The data may be used for future presentations, publications, and educational purposes identifiers will be removed and all research participants will remain confidential.  
Are there any costs or payments for being in this study? 
There will be no costs to you for taking part in this study. 
You will not receive money or any other form of compensation for taking part in this study. 
Who can I talk to if I have questions? 
If you have questions about this study or the information in this form, please contact the research team csuf.qlab.contact@gmail.com. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, or would like to report a concern or complaint about this study, please contact the Institutional Review Board at (657) 278-7719, or e-mail irb@fullerton.edu  
What are my rights as a research study volunteer? 
Your participation in this research study is completely voluntary.  You may choose not to be a part of this study.  There will be no penalty to you if you choose not to take part.  You may choose not to answer specific questions or to stop participating at any time.


You may print this page for your records. 
 
Statement of Consent 
By clicking "I consent and I wish to continue", I am verifying that:   
  • I am at least 18 years of age, 
  • I have carefully read the terms used in this consent form, 
  • My questions have been answered,
  • I understand that this survey is to recruit eligible participants for a interviews. Due to limited space and resources, I may not be selected even if I am are eligible, and
  • I agree to take part in this study.