Research Interests
Dr. Wade’s program of research aims to fill critical gaps in understanding on health and well-being among LGBTQ+ communities. At present, much of his research is focused on occurrences of ‘sexual racism’ in online dating, a phenomenon referred to as Racialized Sexual Discrimination (RSD). His work has largely involved defining, measuring, and examining the mental health impact of RSD among young sexually minoritized men of color, and identifying individual and community-level factors that may be protective in the context of RSD.
Dr. Wade is also leading a project that examines the association between anti-LGBTQ policy discourse and psychosocial functioning among LGBTQ+ young adults, in the wake of growing legislative hostility directed towards queer communities. Ultimately, his work aims to inform the development of health promotion initiatives aimed at mitigating and/or eliminating the adverse effects of discrimination, as well as other social stressors that disproportionately impact racially, sexually and gender minoritized persons. Professor Wade’s research and expertise have been featured in local and national media outlets, including NPR, Business Insider, the Chicago Tribune, and Rolling Stone magazine.
Dr. Wade is currently accepting applicants to the Qi3 Lab.
Research Description
I am the Founder and Director of the Queer Intersections, Inclusion, and Innovation (Qi3) Lab. My work includes a broad focus on social determinants of health, structural and community-level racism, the racial patterning of sexual/social networks within LGBTQ+ communities, and health disparities among sexual and gender minorities. I am particularly interested in examining the ways in which stressors (e.g., discrimination, stigma, etc.) across multiple socioecological levels contribute to poor mental health outcomes among young sexual minority men of color.
Education
Health Behavior and Health Education, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Social Work, MSW, University of Michigan School of Social Work
Psychology, BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Additional Campus Affiliations
Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Associate Professor, Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity
Recent Publications
Alohan, D. I., Wade, R. M., Harper, G. W., Newman, A., Doraivelu, K., & Hussen, S. A. (2025). Predictors of Past-Year Formal and Informal Mental Health Services Utilization Among Young Black Sexually Minoritized Men Living with HIV in Atlanta, GA. AIDS and Behavior, 29(10), 3335-3346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04780-1
Wade, R. M., Huang, R., Pear, M., & Piasecki, M. (2025). That’s the Bottom Line: Sexual Positioning, Gender Expression, and Psychological Well-Being Among Young Sexual Minority Black Cisgender Men Who Seek Partners Online. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000865
Wade, R. M., & Piasecki, M. (2025). Whose Role is It Anyway? Sexual Racism and Sexual Positioning Among Young Sexual Minority Black Men. Journal of Sex Research, 62(2), 187-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2024.2305823
Hussen, S. A., Wade, R. M., Newman, A., Alohan, D. I., & Harper, G. W. (2024). CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG YOUNG BLACK GAY, BISEXUAL, AND OTHER MEN (YB-GBMSM) WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN WHO ARE LIVING WITH HIV. AIDS Education and Prevention, 36(6), 387-402. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2024.36.6.387
Wade, R. M., & Nguyễn, D. M. (2024). Does Subjective Racial Attraction Vary by Sexual Position? An Analysis of Young Sexual Minority Black Men. Sexuality and Culture, 28(4), 1775-1791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-024-10205-3