The formation of homosexual identities.

This paper uses sociological theory to develop an ideal-typical model of homosexual identity formation. The four-stage model outlined here represents a synthesis and an elaboration on previous research and theorizing on homosexual identity development. The model describes how committed homosexuals, lesbians and gay males who see themselves as homosexual and adopt corresponding lifestyles, recall having acquired their homosexual identities. Often repeated themes in the life histories of gay males and lesbians, clustered according to life stages, provide the content and characteristics of each stage.

Homosexual identity development.

This paper presents an ideal-typical model of homosexual identity development that describes how committed homosexuals (i.e., women and men who see themselves as homosexual and adopt corresponding lifestyles) recall having developed perceptions of themselves as homosexual. The model consists of four stages: sensitization, identity confusion, identity assumption, and commitment. Often-repeated themes in the life histories of lesbians and gay males, clustered according to life stages, provide the content and characteristics of each stage.

Self, self-concept, identity, and homosexual identity: constructs in need of definition and differentiation.

This paper uses symbolic interactionist theory to develop a theoretical framework that relates, defines, and differentiates the terms self, self-concept, identity, and homosexual identity. It argues that it is useful to view self and identity as constructs consisting of analytically separate dimensions and components, and defines and specifies the dimensions and components contained within the constructs of self and identity. It then critically examines the way Cass (1983/1984) defines the terms self, self-concept, identity, and homosexual identity, and her idea of a "fully developed homosexual identity." It concludes by noting the implications an interactionist framework has for understanding the homosexual identity.

Correlates and accompaniments of promiscuous sex among male homosexuals.

Until the past decade or thereabouts the psychoanalytic perspective has dominated writings on homosexuality. This almost inevitably entailed a concentration on the search for its etiological origins (Weinberg and Williams, 1974, pp. 3--4). As a consequence, the issue of the nature of the various styles of homosexual expression has been relatively neglected. An exploration of the "disconcerting variability" (Tripp, 1975, p. 133) of homosexual lifestyles is an extremely recent topic among researchers. Too often in the past homosexuality has been conceived of as a uniform entity: its contrasts with heterosexuality were exaggerated and similarities within homosexuality were overemphasized. Variation in modes of homosexual expression cries out for empirical attention (Bell and Weinberg, 1978, pp. 21--25). It is our intention in this paper to undertake an empirical exploration of some accompaniments of one dimension of homosexual behavior--having sexual experiences with a large number of partners. Far from asserting that this is characteristic of many or most homosexual men, we seek to differentiate them and understand to what extent the lives of men at the upper end of this continuum are intertwined with other, typically negatively regarded aspects of sexual life.

Becoming homosexual: a model of gay identity acquisition.

How do male homosexuals who choose homosexuality as a way of life recall having acquired their gay identities? This question provided the impetus for the descriptive study presented here. Rather than concerning itself with the etiology of homosexuality, this report-- a synthesis of and elaboration on recent investigations of homosexual and/or gay identity--concerns itself with documenting the ways in which a man learns that he is homosexual, how he realizes or decides that he is gay, and how he integrates this affectional and sexual preference into his identity or self-conception.

Amyl nitrite use among homosexual men.

The authors interviewed 150 homosexual men to determine the relationship between use of amyl nitrite and certain aspects of homosexuality. They found that the use of amyl nitrite is strongly related to a number of unconventional, deviant sexual practices and to certain medically related problems.

Tolerance as a correlate of experience with stigma: the case of the homosexual.

Scales measuring attitudes toward various unconventional groups were presented to 100 college students and 51 homosexual respondents. Homosexual respondents expressed significantly more tolerant attitudes toward deviantly labeled groups than did student respondents. Homosexuals were also significantly less likely to place social restrictions on those who opted for unconventional alternatives. However, differences between student and homosexual respondents were smaller on the public tolerance scale. The findings suggest that although gays expressed a significantly higher amount of tolerance for other unconventional groups, they appeared to have reservations in terms of total personal acceptance.