LGBT Institute Research Fellow, Spring 2016 Cohort
Jeff Lentz is currently pursing his Ph.D. in sociology and graduate certificate in gerontology at Georgia State University. Research interests include gender, sexuality, aging, social stratification, deviance, and qualitative research methodology.
I am from Connecticut where I earned my master’s degree in sociology at Southern Connecticut State University and bachelor’s degree in human services at Post University. I interned at True Colors, Inc. an organization dedicated to servicing LGBTQ youth providing a mentoring program, GSA leadership, conference, and trainings and seminar. My internship consisted of developing a boundary and assertiveness training for mentors, training conference volunteers, and organizing a volunteer appreciation cook-out. After I completed my internship I continued to volunteer at the True Colors’ annual conference as Tender Love and Care Counselor for youth who were having trouble emotionally during the conference as well as chaperoning the dance.
My dissertation “When the Rainbow Turns Silver” will explore the aging process among gay men in Atlanta. My research will include living or know someone who died from HIV/AIDS, how the same-sex marriage legalization affected or altered the aging process, transitions into aging, navigating as a senior, disclosing, social connections, everyday behaviors, care seeking behaviors, health conditions, end of life planning, and attitudes on health, illness, and aging.