LGBT strengths: Incorporating positive psychology into theory, research, training, and practice.

This article serves as the first in a series of 4 articles providing a theoretically and empirically informed approach to understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and communities from the perspective of positive psychology. Termed LGBT strengths, this perspective aims to complement existing perspectives in LGBT psychology focused on distress and pathology to provide a more balanced and representative understanding of LGBT lives. In the present article we provide an introduction to the 3 pillar model of positive psychology and its relevance to the unique experiences of LGBT individuals. Drawing connections between positive psychology and related strengths-based concepts within the existing literature in LGBT psychology, we provide evidence for LGBT strengths across the 3 pillars and within diverse populations of sexual and gender minorities. Discussing the role and importance of fostering a psychological science of these strengths informed by an understanding of the diversity and complexity of LGBT lives, we conclude with an overview of the goals of this series and introduce the subsequent articles in the series which will address implications of LGBT strengths for theory, research, training, and practice.