Lgbt identity development model
Out of the Closet- The 6-Stage Model of Coming Out
Every gay person’s coming-out story is going to be different from the rest. But it is a process of kind, accepting, and valuing your sexual orientation and self. Coming out can be a gradual process or something very sudden.
It involves accepting yourself first, realizing that it’s time to acknowledge what you include likely been feeling for quite some time. At the same time, it is also a second to explore your individuality and share it with others.
The Six Stages of Coming Out
In , clinical psychologist and sex therapist Vivienne Cass developed the Cass Theory—a model that describes the developmental process individuals go through as they consider while acquiring their homosexual identity. The model includes lesbian, homosexual, and bisexual identities.
A follow-up article by the University of Wisconsin states that “gender is societally considered much less fluid—having its complicated steps of persona and development.”
Although a model expresses the process of accepting one’s true self, demographics and other factors can also affect training and cohesion. The six stages are not the same for everyone as
Considering the Cycle of Coming Out: Sexual Minority Culture Development
Shainna Ali, Sejal Barden
Coming out is a decision-making process regarding disclosure of identity for sexual minorities. Existing literature on the coming-out process highlights a singular, linear emphasis, failing to highlight the recurring task of disclosure that sexual minorities endure. The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight the cyclical nature of the coming-out process and the importance of recognizing this cycle when counseling sexual minority clients. A case application is provided to illustrate the proposed cycle of coming out. Implications for counselors and advice for future research are discussed.
Keywords: sexual minority, coming-out process, identity progress, decision-making, disclosure
Coming out is a pivotal process in the lives of sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, lgbtq+ and bisexual) individuals. The term sexual minority is utilized in this document to be both succinct and inclusive. Beyond the internal process of training, coming out is an interpersonal, diverse process of disclosure. During the lifetime, individuals may face various opportunities to di
Womxn loving womxn and Gay Identity Maturation Theory - Cass
- Identity Confusion: “Could I be gay?”
- Identity Comparison: “Maybe this applies to me.”
- Identity Tolerance: “I’m not the only one.”
- Identity Acceptance: “I will be okay.”
- Identity Pride: “I’ve got to let people know who I am.”
- Identity Synthesis: “Sexual orientation is one part of my multi-faceted identity.”
D’Augelli Model of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual person Development
- D’Augelli () explains lesbian, gay, and bisexual person (LGB) identity as influenced by one’s social environment and the support one receives while beginning to conceptualize his/her sexuality
- Factors that influence sexual orientation individuality can include: individual perceptions of identity, which can be formed as a result of sexual behaviors and their interpretation of the feelings resulting from such behaviors; the guide of immediate family, spouse relationships and peer groups; and the person’s society which includes societal norms and laws, organizational policies, and individual, family, peer, and societal values (D&rs
Post Views,
Theoretical frameworks for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) identity development date support to the early 70’s. The models relate to how one resolves the internal conflict experienced with coming out. Based on these studies, which were with small sample sizes and most often conducted with men, several theories emerged that may utilize different language but disseminate common attributes. However many scholars believe that that LGBT identity development is too complex for a “stage” model and may be better described as a more fluid and complex process that is influenced by other persona factors such as race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, etc. Furthermore, identity development for bi-sexual and transgendered individuals is thought to differ from gay and womxn loving womxn identity development. So with those cautions and caveats, we offer two other models of identity training, one that represents a “stage” model for queer woman and gay identity and another that exemplifies a more fluid way of understanding lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) identity development.
Vivienne Cass is credited with a stage model comprised of 6 stages.
- Identity Confusion: Denial of feelings.
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