Research
More people in the United States identify as LGBTQ+ than ever before—according to recent Gallup polling, 9.3% of all U.S. adults and 23.1% of Generation Z identify as LGBTQ+. Yet by and large, the experiences of LGBTQ+ people are overlooked and underrepresented in the field of psychology. In my research, I examine both these underrepresented experiences and these limitations of the field, working to understand (1) how LGBTQ+ navigate their identities and challenges to their identities, especially in their relationships and (2) how to strengthen the diversity and inclusivity of psychological research. To learn more about my published work investigating these topics, you can check out the articles below.
Publications
Emery, L. F., McGorray, E. L., Hughes, E. K., & Elnakouri, A. (in press). Merging in close relationships. Current Directions in Psychological Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09637214251325191
Kerschbaumer, S., Voracek, M., Aczel, B., … McGorray, E. L., … & Tran, U.S. (2025). VALID: A checklist-based approach for improving validity in psychological research. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 8(1), 25152459241306432. https://doi.org/10.1177/25152459241306432
Rich, A. J., McGorray, E. L., Felt, D., Kerr, M., Baldwin-SoRelle, C., Beach, L. B., ... & Poteat, T. (2025). Sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity measurement in health research: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. LGBT Health, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2024.0105
Rich, A. J., McGorray, E. L., Baldwin-SoRelle, C., Cawley, M., Grigg, K., Beach, L. B., ... & Poteat, T. (2025). Automated tools for systematic review screening methods: an application of machine learning for sexual orientation and gender identity measurement in health research. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 113(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2025.1860
Hughes, E. K., Emery, L. F., McGorray, E. L., Gardner, W. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2025). The delusion of the disappearing self? Attachment avoidance and the experience of externally invisible self-loss in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 128(5), 1142–1159. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000468
McGorray, E. L., & Petsko, C. D. (2024). The perceived “straightness” and “gayness” of bisexuality depends on gender. Social Psychological and Personality Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506231183467 [Download]
McGorray, E. L., Finkel, E. J., & Feinstein, B. A. (2023). Bi+ identity visibility and well-being in the context of romantic relationships. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000628 [Download]
McGorray, E. L., Emery, L. F., Garr-Schultz, A., & Finkel, E. J. (2023). “Mostly White, heterosexual couples”: Evaluating the demographic diversity and reporting practices of relationship science research samples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 125(2), 316-344. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000417 [Download]
Douglas, B. D., McGorray, E. L., & Ewell, P. J. (2021). Some researchers wear yellow pants, but even fewer participants read consent forms: Exploring and improving consent form reading in human subjects research. Psychological Methods, 26(1), 61-68. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000267 [Download]