1. Sexual Identity Development
H236: Adolescent Development

2. The Goals…
Understanding the complexity and sensitivity of sexual minority identity development
Creating a sensitive environment for the exploration of identity, especially for sexual “minority” groups

3. Terminology Sexual Identity Sexual Orientation
General integrated belief about oneself
Sexual Orientation
attractions, predisposition, sexual fantasies, thoughts, affections
Sexual Orientation Label
what one calls themselves or their behavior, attraction, ideologies
A lexicon provided by society, negotiated within subpopulation, with political meaning, attributions, ties to a broader culture)

4. Some Implicit Assumptions
One must experiment sexually to determine one’s sexual identity…(but not for heterosexuals…)
Most sexual minorities are attracted to same sex exclusively
Sexual questioning is a one-time experience
There is periodic re-questioning
70% of women changed their identity label at least one after initially coming out
There is a single endpoint of sexual identity, an outcome

5. Potential pathways Identity Confusion Identity Comparisons
Begin to recognize the thoughts/feelings as potentially homosexual
Identity Comparisons
Compare own feelings with others, begin to evaluate the possibilities, costs
Identity Tolerance
Begin to accept identity but still exploring how it affects other aspects of self
Identity Acceptance
Clearer and positive image of self, selective disclosure
Identity Pride
Preference for likeminded people (in-group/outgroup distinctions)
Identity Synthesis
Moves to background & integrated with the rest of self (lens)

6. Patterns for discussion
Personal vs. master narratives
Master narrative of overcoming victimization and suffering/descent and success
Master narrative of political expression through identity
Coming out means “selecting into” and affiliating with a marginalized social group.
Personal narrative of individual relationships and individual identity (do I have to represent??)
Role of sexual behavioral for sexual identity development
Emotional attraction versus physical attraction
The alignment of emotional closeness, physicality, sexual attraction
Implicit counter and contradictory messages
delaying onset of sexual behavior for heterosexuals
the implicit core function sexual experimentation is assumed to play for sexual minority and questioning youth

7. Patterns for discussion
The complexities of hormones
reprise the loss of close friendships among boys in relation to evaluating what it means to have “same sex desires.”
Discerning whether feelings are plutonic or part of a pathway to same sex romantic or physical desires?
Vasopressin
reprise the role of emotional closeness for reducing stress for girls
precedes physical attraction and is associated with stress reduction for girls.
Girls both tend to and are socialized to have intimate relationships with other girls
Oxytocin, and the effect is amplified in the context estrogen
Where are youth able to safely talk about these feelings?

8. Helping youth sorting out these competing and complex feelings….
What are the important commonalities in sexual identity development for ALL youth?
What are the most important but unique aspects of identity development for sexual minority youth?
What is most challenging about identity development for youth who may identify as sexual minorities?

9. Top responses for creating safe environment for identity development
A relationship curriculum that talks about love, commitment, healthy relationships, etc. This is encompassing of all identities and sets a firm foundation for all identity development.
Provide professional development for teachers so they can lead small group discussions with students concerning sexual identity development.
Creating a safe place for staff to share their sexual identity so that students have models of adults sharing their identity. Training staff to be allies for students. Supporting students groups such as LGTBQA.
Creating LGBTQ-straight alliances at schools, and people in leadership positions modelling support of these groups
Comprehensive sex ed that not only talks about safe sex but talks about having a positive relationship with your sexuality (being at peace with the nature of your sex life or lack thereof) and also that it is natural and personal. No one's path is the same, so we should be accepting of other paths as long as they aren't harmful.

10. How can school provide a healthy context?
The need for affinity….
The need for allies….

11. Its not just for identity development for sexual minority youth….
Being an Identity Agent means supporting affinities and being an ally
Promoting Black Student Associations AND Black Lives Matter AND wearing hoodies in solidarity
Promoting the Arabic Club AND participating in World Hijab Day
Women’s rights groups AND gender studies
Fighting for opportunities and against injustice wherever we see it
Because one takes one an identity doesn’t mean they automatically understand whether and how to fight for the cause

12. Upcoming ways to be Allies
Askwith
GLSEN
Friday, April 15th
TODAY: 5:30-7:30