scholarly journals Coming Out to Parents in Lesbian and Bisexual Women: The Role of Internalized Sexual Stigma and Positive LB Identity

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Baiocco ◽  
Jessica Pistella ◽  
Mara Morelli
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Sexual Stigma ◽  
Positive Identity ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Internalized Sexual Stigma

The experience of “coming out” (CO) to parents is often a crucial event in the lives of lesbian and bisexual (LB) women, associated with lower internalized sexual stigma (ISS) and higher positive LB identity. Few studies have compared the experiences of LB women in the CO process. Rather, most prior research has either: (1) not addressed bisexuality or eliminated bisexual individuals from the analysis; (2) combined bisexual women and bisexual men in the same sexual orientation group; or (3) examined bisexual participants alongside lesbian women and gay men, using a single monolithic measure. Thus, the present research aimed at investigating the role of ISS and positive LB identity in inhibiting or encouraging CO to parents in a sample of 241 lesbian women (Mage = 27.61, SD = 7.19) and 186 bisexual women (Mage = 25.23, SD = 5.81), aged 18–40 years. Most participants reported that they had already revealed their sexual orientation to their mother (69%) and their father (52%). More lesbian women had CO to both their mother and their father than had bisexual women. These lesbian women reported lower levels of ISS and higher levels of LB positive identity relative to bisexual women. On average, CO to mothers occurred at age 20 (SD = 5.54), while CO to fathers occurred at age 22 (SD = 5.63). LB women did not differ in the average age of CO to mothers or fathers, or in parental reactions to CO. Finally, ISS was found to affect the process of CO to both parents via positive identity (bootstrapping estimate = −0.26, SE = 0.08, 95% CI = −0.43, 0.11), whereas sexual orientation was not found to moderate the path from ISS to CO to both parents. The present study contributes to our understanding of the differences between LB women when developing their sexual orientation, highlighting the relevance of a positive LB identity for CO to parents. Research and clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Coming Out to Siblings and Internalized Sexual Stigma: The Moderating Role of Gender in a Sample of Italian Participants

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Salvati ◽  
Jessica Pistella ◽  
Salvatore Ioverno ◽  
Fiorenzo Laghi ◽  
Roberto Baiocco
Keyword(s):  
Coming Out ◽  
Sexual Stigma ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Internalized Sexual Stigma

scholarly journals The Internet’s Multiple Roles in Facilitating the Sexual Orientation Identity Development of Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 359-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Harper ◽  
Pedro A. Serrano ◽  
Douglas Bruce ◽  
Jose A. Bauermeister
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Sexual Orientation Identity ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Bisexual People

One emerging avenue for the exploration of adolescents’ sexual orientation identity development is the Internet, since it allows for varying degrees of anonymity and exploration. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the role of the Internet in facilitating the sexual orientation identity development process of gay and bisexual male adolescents. Qualitative interviews were conducted with an ethnically diverse sample of 63 gay/bisexual male adolescents (ages 15-23). Participants reported using a range of Internet applications as they explored and came to accept their sexual orientation identity, with the intended purpose and degree of anonymity desired determining which applications were used. Youth reported that the Internet provided a range of functions with regard to the exploration and acceptance of their sexual orientation identity, including (1) increasing self-awareness of sexual orientation identity, (2) learning about gay/bisexual community life, (3) communicating with other gay/bisexual people, (4) meeting other gay/bisexual people, (5) finding comfort and acceptance with sexual orientation, and (6) facilitating the coming out process. Future research and practice may explore the Internet as a platform for promoting the healthy development of gay and bisexual male adolescents by providing a developmentally and culturally appropriate venue for the exploration and subsequent commitment to an integrated sexual orientation identity.

The significance of affinity groups and safe spaces for older lesbians and bisexual women: creating support networks and resisting heteronormativity in older age

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Wilkens
Keyword(s):  
Coming Out ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Second Wave Feminism ◽  
Affinity Groups ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Positive Ageing ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of belonging to a same-sexuality social group or network for older lesbians and bisexual women. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 35 women were interviewed about a range of topics including coming out (or not) in the 1950s and 1960s, their feelings about ageing and their experiences of attending groups for lesbians and bisexual women, now and in the past. Findings – The study found that, while the participants had different opinions of groups and their significance, the majority valued the opportunity to meet with other “like-minded” women and enjoyed a range of positive outcomes. Practical implications – The nature of the space where such groups are located was significant to many as was the employment of paid leaders, not only to take up the administrative burden but to moderate and prevent cliques from forming. Social implications – The research indicates that such groups have an important role to play in alleviating loneliness and promoting positive ageing. Originality/value – This research makes an important contribution to the literature about lesbian, gay and bisexual ageing which is frequently focused on gay men. Their feelings about loneliness, the role of social space and groups are often different to those of lesbian and bisexual women such as my participants, particularly those who were at the cutting edge of second-wave feminism.

Gender Nonconformity and Minority Stress Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals: A Meta-Analytic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 174569162096876
Author(s):  
Brian C. Thoma ◽  
Kristen L. Eckstrand ◽  
Gerald T. Montano ◽  
Taylor L. Rezeppa ◽  
Michael P. Marshal
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Gender Nonconformity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Sexual Orientation Identity ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
And Bisexual

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are less healthy than heterosexual individuals, and minority stress endured by LGB individuals contributes to these health disparities. However, within-groups differences in minority stress experiences among LGB individuals remain underexplored. Individuals are more likely to be categorized as LGB if they exhibit gender nonconformity, so gender nonconformity could influence concealability of sexual orientation among LGB individuals, carrying important implications for the visibility of their stigmatized sexual orientation identity and for how they experience and cope with minority stress. Through a meta-analytic review, we examined how gender nonconformity was associated with minority stress experiences among LGB individuals. Thirty-seven eligible studies were identified and included in analyses. Results indicate gender nonconformity is associated with experiencing more prejudice events, less concealment of sexual orientation, lower internalized homonegativity, and higher expectations of rejection related to sexual orientation among LGB individuals. Gender nonconformity is more strongly associated with experiencing prejudice events among gay and bisexual men than among lesbian and bisexual women. Gender nonconformity is systematically associated with minority stress experiences among LGB individuals, and future research must measure and examine gender nonconformity when investigating the role of minority stress in degraded health outcomes among LGB populations.

scholarly journals Spanish Women and Pornography Based on Different Sexual Orientation: an Analysis of Consumption, Arousal, and Discomfort by Sexual Orientation and Age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Giménez-García ◽  
Juan E. Nebot-Garcia ◽  
Estefanía Ruiz-Palomino ◽  
Marta García-Barba ◽  
Rafael Ballester-Arnal
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Gay And Lesbian ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Spanish Women ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
And Bisexual

Abstract Introduction The proactive role of women in sexuality has been socially invisible, especially in regard to pornography use. For this reason, this study aims to explore Spanish women’s sexual experiences regarding viewing, arousal, and discomfort as perceived by different types of pornography and based on the women’s sexual orientation. Methods Between January and March 2019, 2730 Spanish women between 18 and 44 years old (M = 24.16; SD = 6.04) completed a questionnaire about the consumption of heterosexual, gay, and lesbian pornography and the discomfort they felt when they were aroused by this type of material. Regarding their sexual orientation, 78.1% were heterosexual, 15.4% were bisexual, and 6.5% were lesbian. Results In general, more lesbian and bisexual women consume pornography than heterosexual women do. In any case, all of them consume and are aroused by pornographic content based on a sexual orientation that differs from their reported sexual orientation. Women experience discomfort when viewing pornography, regardless of their sexual orientation and the type of content. Particularly, the youngest women are associated with discomfort when viewing heterosexual pornography, although the discomfort of older bisexual women is associated with gay and lesbian pornography. Conclusions Regardless of their reported sexual orientation, women view and feel aroused by different types of pornographic content. In addition, this study reveals their associated discomfort, which could interfere with their sexual health. Policy Implications Sexual health strategies should include a more active role of women in sexuality, as well as a more flexible conception of their sexual orientation to prevent stigmatizing them.

Oversampling as a methodological strategy for the study of self-reported health among lesbian, gay and bisexual populations

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 637-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Anderssen ◽  
Kirsti Malterud
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Heterosexual Women ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
And Gender

Aims: Epidemiological research on lesbian, gay and bisexual populations raises concerns regarding self-selection and group sizes. The aim of this research was to present strategies used to overcome these challenges in a national population-based web survey of self-reported sexual orientation and living conditions—exemplified with a case of daily tobacco smoking. Methods: The sample was extracted from pre-established national web panels. Utilizing an oversampling strategy, we established a sample including 315 gay men, 217 bisexual men, 789 heterosexual men, 197 lesbian women, 405 bisexual women and 979 heterosexual women. We compared daily smoking, representing three levels of differentiation of sexual orientation for each gender. Results: The aggregation of all non-heterosexuals into one group yielded a higher odds ratio (OR) for non-heterosexuals being a daily smoker. The aggregation of lesbian and bisexual women indicated higher OR between this group and heterosexual women. The full differentiation yielded no differences between groups except for bisexual compared with heterosexual women. Conclusions: The analyses demonstrated the advantage of differentiation of sexual orientation and gender, in this case bisexual women were the main source of group differences. We recommend an oversampling procedure, making it possible to avoid self-recruitment and to increase the transferability of findings.

scholarly journals Coming Out to Dad

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 274-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Jadwin-Cakmak ◽  
Emily S. Pingel ◽  
Gary W. Harper ◽  
José A. Bauermeister
Keyword(s):  
Coming Out ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Sex Attraction ◽  
And Bisexual

Few studies have examined the relationship between young gay and bisexual men (YGBM) and their fathers. Based on a phenomenological framework, this study investigated the role of fathers in YGBM’s coming-out experience, focusing on how fathers responded to disclosure of same-sex attraction, how fathers’ responses compared with sons’ expectations, and what sons perceived as having influenced their fathers’ responses. Semistructured in-depth interviews with 30 gay and bisexual men aged 18 to 24 years were conducted as part of a larger study; topics explored in the interview included experiences coming out to family and others. Nineteen participants’ narratives included discussion about their fathers and were included in the current analyses. The YGBM who were interviewed perceived a complex range of responses upon coming out to their fathers, ranging from enthusiastic acceptance to physical violence. Participants spoke of fathers who were accepting in different manners and who often held contradictory attitudes about same-sex attraction. Fathers’ responses commonly differed from sons’ expectations, which were informed by homophobic talk and gendered expectations. Sons spoke about what informed their expectations as well as what they perceived as influencing their fathers’ responses, including gender norms, beliefs regarding the cause of same-sex attraction, religious and sociopolitical views, and concerns about HIV/AIDS. Particularly striking was the pervasive influence of hegemonic masculinity throughout the YGBM’s stories. The implications of these findings for future research and intervention development are discussed, as well as study strengths and limitations.

Born this way: Sexual orientation beliefs and their correlates in lesbian and bisexual women.

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Morandini ◽  
Alexander Blaszczynski ◽  
Daniel S. J. Costa ◽  
Alexandra Godwin ◽  
Ilan Dar-Nimrod
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Sexual Orientation Beliefs

All change please: education, mobility and habitus dislocation

2019 ◽  
pp. 119-136
Author(s):  
Jill Wilkens
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Social Mobility ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Gender And Sexuality ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Affinity Groups ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Positive Ageing

This chapter examines the intersection of ageing, gender, class and sexual identity, and highlights the significance of same-sexuality social groups for older lesbians and bisexual women. Interviews with 35 women aged between 57 and 73, discussed ‘coming out’ in the 1950s and 1960s, loneliness and isolation and the experience of attending affinity groups. Many participants were rendered ‘out of place’ by aspects of their social mobility, generation, gender and sexuality. The chapter draws on Bourdieu’s concept of ‘cleft habitus’ to consider the contradictions of these mobilities, suggesting that these women faced unprecedented and unique disjuncture between their original habitus and the new classed, sexual and gendered locations in which they finally ‘arrived’. The chapter looks at the potential of social groups to alleviate loneliness and isolation; for many, they are sites of resilience, helping to promote positive ageing for those who have faced marginalisation across their life course.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document