Maurice N. Gattis
Email: gattism@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 828-4830
Pronouns: He/him
Maurice N. Gattis, Ph.D., is an associate professor after serving in 2019-20 as iCubed visiting scholar in the Intersections in the Lives of LGBTQIA+ Communities Core at VCU, which he is still affiliated with. He has engaged in research activities regarding health disparities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender (LGBT) populations; homelessness; and adolescent risk behaviors in the United States, South Africa and Canada. His primary work focuses on the role of contextual factors (e.g., family, peers, stigma and discrimination) on negative psychosocial outcomes (e.g., mental health, substance use).
He has done studies that involve primary data collection regarding youth experiencing homelessness in Louisville, Kentucky; Toronto, Ontario; Cape Town, South Africa; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and transgender youth in Wisconsin. He has also conducted research involving human trafficking and the house ball scene. One of his studies regarding LGBTQ+ adolescents resulted in the creation of www.embracethejourneylou.org. He is a co-founder and founding board chair of Sweet Evening Breeze Inc., an LGBTQ+- affirming nonprofit that addresses youth homelessness.
Dr. Gattis has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, and been awarded approximately $3 million in grant-funded research. His research has been funded by Fulbright, the National Institutes of Health, the Wisconsin Partnership Program, the State of Virginia and Just Fund KY. His research has also been featured in media including WLKY-TV, Slate, Louisville Courier-Journal, Lexington Herald-Leader, Insider Louisville, Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin State Journal, La Crosse Tribune, Milwaukee Magazine, The Academic Minute, WORT-FM and Our Lives. He is the founding board chair of Sweet Evening Breeze Inc. He also comments in the press and has been quoted in several media outlets, including NBC News, Virginia Public Radio and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Areas of expertise
- Gender
- Health
- Homelessness
- Race and Ethnicity
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Education and credentials
Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis
M.S.S.W. Columbia University
B.A. Emory University
Work
Selected publications
Gattis, M.N., Henderson, N., *Kemmerer, A., & *Fourie, J. (2024). Psychosocial experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness in Cape Town, South Africa. South African Journal of Social Work and Social Development.
Kemmerer, A., Fourie, J., Schaub, J., Henderson, N., & Gattis, M. (In press) Narratives from an LGBTQIA+ shelter: Applying ecological systems theory to a homelessness intervention in Cape Town, South Africa. South African Journal of Social Work and Social Development.
Pathak, A.A. & Gattis, M.N. (2024). Three years of Camp Qmunity: An interdisciplinary LGBTQIA+ summer intensive program. Journal of LGBT Youth, 1-7.
Rossouw, R.J., Henderson, H., Gattis, M.N. (2023). The use of photo-voice with older transgender people with psycho-social challenges in the Cape Metropolis, South Africa. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 1-32.
Gattis, M.N., Alexander, N.J., & Henderson, N. (2023). (Un) Belonging in the city: Research, theory, and practice highlighting LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness in Cape Town. Social and Health Sciences, 21(1_2), 1-9.
Gattis, M.N., Wagaman, M.A., & *Kemmerer, A. (2023). Developing Marsha and Marian’s Neighbors: A shared housing intervention to address homelessness among LGBTQ+ and pregnant/parenting youth. Youth 3,335-350.
Middleton, J., Inman, E., Roe-Sepowitz, D., Frey, LM., & Gattis, MN. (2022) Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Youth Victims of Sex Trafficking in Kentukiana. Journal of Human Trafficking, 1-14.
Wagaman, M.W., Gattis, M.N., Watts, K.J., Yabar, M.P, Blair, D., Haynes, T.S. & Williams, E.G. (2022). The Role of Schools in Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness: Perceptions of School Staff. Children & Schools 44(2), 70-78.
Middleton, J., Edwards, E., Roe-Sepowitz, D., Inman, E., Frey, L.M., & Gattis, M.N. (2022). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Homelessness: A Critical Examination of the Association between Specific ACEs and Sex Trafficking among Homeless Youth in Kentuckiana. Journal of Human Trafficking, 1-14.
Moore, S., Hines-Martin, V., & Gattis, M. (2020). Paying It Forward: The Role of Senior Black Faculty in Preparing Junior Faculty and Black Doctoral Students for Career Success. Journal of Negro Education.
Frey, L.M., Middleton, J.S., Gattis, M.N., & Fulginiti, A. (2018). Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Among Youth Victims of Sex Trafficking in Kentuckiana. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. Online first, October 30, 2018.
Middleton, J.S., Gattis, M.N., Ghent, R., Roe-Sepowitz, D. & Frey, L.M. (2018). Youth Experiences Survey (YES): Exploring the Scope and Complexity of Sex Trafficking in a Sample of Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Kentuckiana. Journal of Social Service Research. Online first, February 16, 2018.
Glass, J.E., Rathouz, P.R., Gattis, M., Joo, Y.S., Nelson, J.C., & Williams, E.C. (2017). Intersections of poverty, race/ethnicity, and sex: Alcohol consumption and adverse outcomes in the United States. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Published online first March 27.
Gattis, M. Larson, A. (2017). Perceived Microaggressions and Mental Health in a Sample of Black Youth Experiencing Homelessness. Social Work Research.
Gattis, M. & Larson, A. (2016). Perceived Racial, Sexual Identity, and Homeless Status-related Discrimination Among Black Youth Experiencing Homelessness and the Relationship with Depressive Symptoms and Suicide. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.
Gattis, M., Woodford, M., & Han, Y. (2014). Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Youth: Is Gay-Affirming Religious Affiliation a Protective Factor? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43,(8), 1589-1599.
Gattis, M. (2014). Are Family Communication and School Belonging Protective Factors Against Depressive Symptoms in Homeless Youth in Toronto? Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 32(4), 75-83.
Gattis, M., Sacco, P., & Cunningham-Williams, R. (2012). Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders among Heterosexual Identified Men and Women Who Have Same-Sex Partners or Same-Sex Attraction: Results from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41, 1185-1197.
Woodford, M.R., Krentzman, A.R., & Gattis, M.N. (2012). Alcohol and Drug Use among Sexual Minority College Students and their Heterosexual Counterparts: The Effects of Experiencing and Witnessing Incivility and Hostility on Campus. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 3, 11-23.
Gattis, M. (2013). An Ecological Systems Comparison Between Homeless Sexual Minority Youths and Homeless Heterosexual Youths. Journal of Social Service Research, 39(1), 38-49.
Gattis, M. & Cunningham-Williams, R. (2011). Housing Stability and Problem Gambling: Is there a relationship? Journal of Social Service Research, 37(5), 490-499.
Gattis, M.N., Morrow-Howell, N., McCrary, Lee, M., S., Jonson-Reid-M., McCoy, H., Tamar, K., Molina, A., & Invernizzi, M. (2010). Examining the Effects of New York Experience Corps ® Program on Young Readers. Literacy Research and Instruction, 49(4), 299-314.
Gattis, M.N. (2009). Psychosocial Problems Associated with Homelessness in Sexual Minority Youths. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19(8), 1066-1094.
Cunningham-Williams, R., Gattis, M.N., Dore, P., Shi, P. & Spitznagel Jr., E.L. (2009). Towards DSM-V: Considering Other "Withdrawal-Like" Symptoms for Pathological Gambling Disorder. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 18(1), 13-22.
Professional highlights
Research projects and funding
- Gattis, M.N. (co-principal investigator) & Wagaman, M.A. A Shared housing model for LGBTQ+ youth, pregnant and parenting youth and youth at the intersection. Funded February 14, 2024 by the Virginia Housing Trust. $499,642 for one year.
- Gattis, M.N. (co-principal investigator) & Wagaman, M.A. A Shared housing model for LGBTQ+ youth, pregnant and parenting youth and youth at the intersection. Funded March 13, 2023 by the Virginia Housing Trust. $805,875 for one year.
- Narendorf, S. (principal investigator), Gattis, M. (consultant), et al. Adaptation of Critical Time Intervention for Young Adults with Mental Health Challenges in Transition from Homelessness to Housing. Funded December 13, 2022. National Institute of Mental Health, R34, $450,000.
- Gattis, M. & Wagaman, M.A. (co-principal investigator) Mental Health and Doula Services for Participants in the Center for Youth Engaged Research to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness. Funded June 14, 2022 by the Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation. $56,000 through July 2023.
- Gattis, M. (principal investigator). Psychosocial Experiences of LGBTQI+ youth experiencing homelessness in the Cape Town Metropole region. Funded April 2022 by Fulbright, U.S. Department of State. $52,220 January 2023-July 2023.
- Gattis, M. (co-principal investigator) & Wagaman, M.A. A Shared housing model for LGBTQ+ youth, pregnant and parenting youth and youth at the intersection. Funded January 14 2022 by the Virginia Housing Trust. $883,014 for one year.
- Combs, R. & Gattis, M. (co-investigator). Embrace the Journey KY. Funded, May 7, 2021 by JustFundKY. $5,000 for one year.
- Gattis, M. (co-principal investigator) & Wagaman, A. Building a shared housing model for LGBTQ+ youth, pregnant and parenting youth and youth at the intersection. Funded on March 22, 2021 by the Virginia Housing Trust. $69,666 for one year.
- A Way Home America Grand Challenge to End Youth homelessness awarded September 4, 2019
- Gattis, M., PI. Psychosocial Problems of Homeless Sexual Minority Youths and Their Heterosexual Counterparts. Funded October 2011 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Health Disparities Loan Repayment Programs (LRP) National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD)
- McKinnon, S., Gattis, M., & Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, academic partner and co- investigator. School District Implementation of Gender-Inclusive Policies. Funded June 12, 2015 by the Wisconsin Partnership Program Community Opportunity Grant, $50,000.
- Gattis, M., McKinnon, S. & Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, academic partner and principal investigator. Safe Schools for Wisconsin’s Transgender Youth. Funded December 19, 2013 by the Wisconsin Partnership Program Development Grant, $50,000.
- Egilmez, N., Lamont, R., Van Zyl, R., & Gattis, M. (Co-investigator), et al., University of Louisville Program in Metagenomics and Health. Funded September 2016 by the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies and the Office of Research and Innovation, University of Louisville. $250,000 per year, renewable through 2019.
- Gattis, M. (Principal investigator). LGBTQ Adolescent Health Campaign. Funded May 1, 2018. JustFundKY. $5,000 for one year. Developed website www.embracethejourneylou.org.
Accomplishments
- Fulbright Scholar, Cape Town, South Africa
- Fulbright Scholar, Toronto, Canada
- Invited to attend the White House Policy Briefing on Ending Youth Homelessness
- Training Fellowship, Summer Institute in LGBT Population Health, The Fenway Institute & Boston University School of Public Health
- Honored Instructor Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives/First Wave Faculty Excellence Award
- Legends Recognition Award, Monroe Inc.
Affiliations and service
- Founding board chair of Sweet Evening Breeze, Inc.
- Grand Challenge to End Youth Homelessness
Teaching areas and interests
- Social Work 392 LGBTQIA+ Issues and Social Welfare
- LGBTQIA+, homelessness, research methods, Introduction to Social Work
- SWK 391: Camp Qmunity Cape Town: LGBTQIA+ Intersectional Experiences of Post Colonial South Africa