1. Chapter Twelve Same-Gender Orientation and Behavior

2. Understanding Same-Gender Sexual Orientation §Kinsey originally conceptualized homosexual and heterosexual as a bipolar dimension or continuum §Concepts of sexual orientation and identity are evolving in ways that our concepts of masculinity and femininity evolved over the past few decades - no longer a bipolar description §The incidence of same-gender orientation is controversial because people may identify as non- heterosexual even though their behaviors do not seem consistent with the labels

4. Same-Gender Orientation Culture Religion Homophobia and Biphobia Desire Behavior Self-Identification Biology or Environment?

5. Conceptualizing Same-Gender Sexual Orientation §Psychodynamic Model l Same-gender orientation as a neurosis §Normal Variant Model l Natural, less prevalent, form of sexual expression l Early studies indicated most gay males and lesbians were well-adjusted - led to repeal of many laws §Biological Determinants Model l Hormonal and genetic influences, brain differences §Multifactorial Model l Biopsychosocial perspective

6. The Bell, Weinberg, and Hammersmith Study on Sexual Orientation §Sexual orientation appears to be largely determined by adolescence, regardless of sexual activity §Same-gender attractions typically experienced about 3 years prior to same-gender sexual behaviors §Lesbians and gay men have history of heterosexual experiences in childhood and adolescence §Parental identification plays no significant role §No support that a particular mothering style produces children of a same-gender orientation

7. Forming an Identity as a Gay Male, Lesbian, or Bisexual §Identity Formation l Identity confusion l Identity comparison l Identity tolerance l Identity acceptance l Identity pride l Identity synthesis §Gay males tend to enter the identity process earlier §Lesbians more likely to realize identity after an intense same- gender relationship §Less is known about bisexual identity

8. Sexual Orientation and Society §Gay and Lesbian Culture l Found more often in cities, where well-developed same-gender communities permit support and networking §HIV/AIDS and the Gay Community l HIV spread quickly through gay male population, increasing homophobia and biphobia l Loss of friends and partners had significant impact §Sexual Orientation and the Military l Continued judgment of same-gender as inconsistent with military service - “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”

9. Gay and Lesbian Partnerships §Many bisexuals, gays, and lesbians marry heterosexual partners and raise families §Gays and lesbians have fought for the right to have legalized partnerships §Some churches support marriages §Children raised by gay or lesbian parents do not seem to differ much, nor are they more likely to develop same- gender orientation