Tate's research interests include the study of homosocial spaces as well as their impact on the self-discovery and evolution of queer identity. He originally began this journey by studying the sleepover environment and its role in encouraging self-discovery of queerness among adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB). At Ohio State, he will be continuing research in homosociality by investigating how spaces of juvenile incarceration impact navigation of queer identity among AFAB adolescents.