scholarly journals “I Didn’t Know Ace Was a Thing”: Bisexuality and Pansexuality as Identity Pathways in Asexual Identity Formation

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Canton Winer ◽  
Megan Carroll ◽  
Yuchen Yang ◽  
Katherine Linder ◽  
Brittney Miles
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sexual Identities

Identity formation for asexual people can be complicated by limited societal awareness of asexualities. Consequently, people who eventually identify as asexual often adopt other sexual identities in their early lives. In this paper, we extend sexual identity development theory by analyzing the identity trajectories of asexual people who once identified as bisexual or pansexual. Quantitative data suggests that about half of asexual respondents once identified as bisexual or pansexual and a third closely associate with bisexual or pansexual terminology. Qualitative data supports these findings, revealing that bisexuality, pansexuality, and asexuality are not always seen as mutually exclusive categories by asexual individuals. We argue that the intelligibility of bi-/pansexuality positions them as identity pathways for many asexual individuals who experience equal (albeit little to no) attractions toward men and women.

Out in Time

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perry N. Halkitis
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
American Society

The life experiences and sexual identity development of three generations of gay men, the Stonewall, AIDS, and Queer generations, are explored. While there are generational differences in the lived experiences of young gay men shaped by the sociopolitical contexts of the historical epoch in which they emerged into adulthood, and a crisis that has come to define each generation, there also are consistencies across generations and across time in the psychological process of coming out that defines identity formation of gay men, as these individuals transition from a period of sexual identity awareness to sexual identity integration. The life experiences are also shaped by conceptions of hypermasculinity, racism and discrimination, substance use, and adventurous sexuality. Despite the many challenges that have defined the lives of gay men across time and that are informed by the homophobia of American society, the vast majority of the population also has demonstrated resilience and fortitude in achieving both pride and dignity. These ideas are explored through the life narratives of fifteen diverse gay men, across the three generations.

Intersectionality and Identity Configurations: A Qualitative Study Exploring Sexual Identity Development Among Emerging Adults Within the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 216769682094659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua G. Parmenter ◽  
Renee V. Galliher ◽  
Ashley C. Yaugher ◽  
Adam D. A. Maughan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
The United States ◽  
Identity Conflict ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Individual Interviews

Although modern comprehensive conceptual models of sexual identity development acknowledge contextual factors, existing models have placed less emphasis on (a) the influence of multiple domains of identity on sexual identity formation and (b) centrality and negotiation of various domains of identity. The present study sought to explore processes, identity conflicts, and management of sexual identity relative to other identity domains among sexual minority emerging adults in the United States. Fourteen sexual minority emerging adults (20–25 years) with a diverse array of identities participated in semistructured individual interviews, and five participants engaged in two follow-up focus groups. Findings supported two broad categories with subthemes: identity conflict (unaffirming and oppressive contexts, lack of resources to explore identity) and identity coherence (resources used to manage and facilitate identity coherence; acceptance, affirmation, and harmony; and centrality and salience of sexual identity within identity configurations). Findings have implications for the study of sexual identity development within the context of other domains of identity.

Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Identity Development of Korean Gay Men

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Seo ◽  
Mina Cho ◽  
Juno Park ◽  
Min-Sun Kim ◽  
Dongil Kim
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

LGB Youth's Experiences of Puberty and Sexual Identity Development

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold H. Grossman ◽  
Michael J. Mccutcheon ◽  
John A. Frank ◽  
Anthony R. D'Augelli
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Sexual Identity Development

Sexual Identity in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning Emerging Adults: The Role of Parental Rejection, and Sexuality Specific Family Support

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110500
Author(s):  
Ashley B. Taylor ◽  
Tricia K. Neppl
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Parental Rejection ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Participant Gender ◽  
Midwestern University

The present study provides critical contributions to the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) emerging adults by examining the role of family and sexuality specific family support, as well as the moderating effect of gender, on sexual identity development. Specifically, the role of mother and father rejection and sexuality specific family support on both affirmed identity and identity struggles of students were assessed. Using a sample of 338 LGBTQ emerging adults at a midwestern University, findings illustrate that for sexual identity development, mother and father parental rejection positively influenced identity struggles while sexuality specific family support positively influenced affirmed identity. Also, moderation by participant gender was not supported. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

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