Sexual identity, attractions, and behavior among young sexual-minority women over a 2-year period.

Diamond, Lisa M.

doi:10.1037/0012-1649.36.2.241

Cited by 292 publications

(270 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…), this raises the question of whether observed butch/ femme differences in the coming-out process are due to the butch/femme phenomenon or to the greater prevalence of bisexuality among femmes. Given the potential confound between butch/femme and sexual identity, previously noted elsewhere (Carr, 2005), as well as the well-documented differences between lesbian and bisexual women in the coming-out process (Diamond, 2000;Rosario et al, 1996;Rust, 1993), the current study examined the interaction between butch/femme identity and sexual identity in order to eliminate this possible confound. We compared lesbian femmes, bisexual femmes, lesbian butches, and bisexual butches in order to investigate whether variability in the coming-out process was a function of differences in butch/femme identity and/or in sexual identity as lesbian or bisexual.…”

Section: The Coming-out Process Of Butch and Femme Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite a growing literature on the sexual identity formation and integration of lesbian and bisexual women (e.g., Diamond, 2000;Kitzinger & Wilkinson, 1995;Rust, 1993), this literature has not provided information regarding potential butch/femme differences in the coming-out process. Further, the growing literature on butch/femme differences in biology and sexual relationships (Bailey et al, 1997;Brown et al, 2002;Pearcey et al, 1996;Singh et al, 1999) has not examined potential differences in the coming-out process.…”

Section: The Coming-out Process Of Butch and Femme Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of particular interest has been the coming-out process of lesbian and bisexual women (Chapman & Brannock, 1987;Morris, 1997;Schneider, 2001) because some have suggested that the process is especially variable among women (Diamond, 2000;Kitzinger & Wilkinson, 1995;Peplau & Garnets, 2000;Rust, 1993;Schneider, 2001). Although variability has been observed in the comingout process of lesbian and bisexual women (Diamond, 2000(Diamond, , 2005Kitzinger & Wilkinson, 1995;Rust, 1993), the reasons for this diversity have been little explored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Coming-Out Process of Young Lesbian and Bisexual Women: Are There Butch/Femme Differences in Sexual Identity Development?

et al. 2007

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Research on lesbian and bisexual women has documented various biological and behavioral differences between butch and femme women. However, little research has examined whether differences exist in sexual identity development (i.e., the coming-out process). The present study examined longitudinally potential butch/femme differences in sexual identity formation and integration among an ethnically diverse sample of 76 self-identified lesbian and bisexual young women (ages 14-21 years). A composite measure of butch/femme identity classified 43% as butch and 51% as femme. Initial comparisons found butch/femme differences in sexual identity (i.e., nearly all butches identified as lesbian, but about half of femmes identified as bisexual), suggesting the need to examine this confound. Comparisons of lesbian butches, lesbian femmes, and bisexual femmes found that lesbian butches and femmes generally did not differ on sexual identity formation, but they differed from bisexual femmes. Lesbian butches and femmes had sexual behaviors and a cognitive sexual orientation that were more centered on women than those of bisexual femmes. With respect to sexual identity integration, lesbian butches were involved in more gay social activities, were more comfortable with others knowing about their homosexuality, and were more certain, comfortable, and accepting of their sexual identity than were bisexual femmes. Fewer differences were found between lesbian femmes and bisexual femmes or between lesbian butches and lesbian femmes. The findings suggest that sexual identity formation does not differ between butch or femme women, but differences are linked to sexual identity as lesbian or bisexual. Further, the findings that lesbian femmes sometimes differed from lesbian butches and at other times from bisexual femmes on sexual identity integration suggest that neither sexual identity nor butch/femme alone may explain sexual identity integration. Research examining the intersection between sexual identity and butch/femme is needed.

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Section: The Coming-out Process Of Butch and Femme Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Coming-out Process Of Butch and Femme Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Coming-Out Process of Young Lesbian and Bisexual Women: Are There Butch/Femme Differences in Sexual Identity Development?

et al. 2007

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“…In the discussion on homosexuality (of individuals without GID), the stability or instability of sexual orientation has been a matter of debate. Recently, prospective studies in non-transsexual samples of women suggest that there is considerable fluidity in sexual orientation, especially for women (Diamond, 2000;Diamond & Butterworth, 2008). In the 1990s, the question arose if the preferences for the gender of sex partners would also change in the course of hormonal and surgical treatment (e.g., Daskalos, 1998;Lawrence, 1999Lawrence, , 2005.…”

Section: Specifiersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescents and Adults

2009

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Apart from some general issues related to the Gender Identity Disorder (GID) diagnosis, such as whether it should stay in the DSM-V or not, a number of problems specifically relate to the current criteria of the GID diagnosis for adolescents and adults. These problems concern the confusion caused by similarities and differences of the terms transsexualism and GID, the inability of the current criteria to capture the whole spectrum of gender variance phenomena, the potential risk of unnecessary physically invasive examinations to rule out intersex conditions (disorders of sex development), the necessity of the D criterion (distress and impairment), and the fact that the diagnosis still applies to those who already had hormonal and surgical treatment. If the diagnosis should not be deleted from the DSM, most of the criticism could be addressed in the DSM-V if the diagnosis would be renamed, the criteria would be adjusted in wording, and made more stringent. However, this would imply that the diagnosis would still be dichotomous and similar to earlier DSM versions. Another option is to follow a more dimensional approach, allowing for different degrees of gender dysphoria depending on the number of indicators. Considering the strong resistance against sexuality related specifiers, and the relative difficulty assessing sexual orientation in individuals pursuing hormonal and surgical interventions to change physical sex characteristics, it should be investigated whether other potentially relevant specifiers (e.g., onset age) are more appropriate.

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“…RotheramBorus and Fernandez (1995) LGB adolescents face a dual task of exploring and developing an LGB identity while simultaneously coping with negative reactions to this identity. Whereas similar dual tasks are expected of adolescents developing an ethnic minority identity, LGB adolescents do not necessarily have the familial and peer support (Graber & Archibald, 2001) that ethnic minority adolescents may have.However, with sexual identities, researchers are finding that adolescents who have same-sex attractions or who engage in same-sex behavior do not always identify as LGB (Diamond, 2000). These adolescents are rarely examined because many of the studies on LGB adolescents rely on self-identification or participation in LGB youth organizations (SavinWilliams, 2001a).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex, race/ethnicity, and romantic attractions: Multiple minority status adolescents and mental health.

Consolacion

Russell

Sue

2004

Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology

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This study examined the association between multiple minority statuses and reports of suicidal thoughts, depression, and self-esteem among adolescents. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to examine mental health outcomes across racial/ethnic groups for same-sex-attracted youths and female youths. Hispanic/Latino, African American, and White female adolescents reported more suicidal thoughts, higher depression, and lower selfesteem compared with male adolescents in their racial/ethnic group. Same-sex-attracted youths did not consistently demonstrate compromised mental health across racial/ethnic groups. Follow-up analyses show that White same-sex-attracted female adolescents reported the most compromised mental health compared with other White adolescents. However, similar trends were not found for racial/ethnic minority female youths with same-sex attractions. Keywordssexual minority youths; racial/ethnic minority youths; adolescents; multiple minority status; adolescent mental health During adolescence, youths are confronted with the challenge of discriminating and potentially incorporating a whole host of characteristics into their self-identity (Harter, 1990). Identities based on race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation are only a few of the characteristics of self that are shaped during this time, but incorporating such identities is challenging when these identities may be stigmatized. For ethnic minority adolescents, one of the primary goals during this time is the establishment of a positive racial/ethnic identity despite derogatory stereotypes attached to their race/ethnicity (Oyserman & Harrison, 1998;Phinney & Kohatsu, 1997). Adolescence is also a time of pubertal development, during which an increase in sexual and gender role behaviors occurs (Eccles & Bryan, 1994). Various external and perhaps internal forces may pressure the adolescent to conform to behaviors consistent with one's biological sex (Eccles & Bryan, 1994).As gender identity develops, one's sexual identity emerges, which includes one's sexual orientation (Katchadourian, 1990;Koch, 1993;Rotheram-Borus & Fernandez, 1995). Many adolescents recognize whether or not their sexual orientation is heterosexual (Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995) because of the increase in desires and attractions associated with pubertal development. However, the current cultural milieu discourages and inhibits sexual minority adolescents from expressing nonheterosexual orientations (D'Augelli, 1996). RotheramBorus and Fernandez (1995) LGB adolescents face a dual task of exploring and developing an LGB identity while simultaneously coping with negative reactions to this identity. Whereas similar dual tasks are expected of adolescents developing an ethnic minority identity, LGB adolescents do not necessarily have the familial and peer support (Graber & Archibald, 2001) that ethnic minority adolescents may have.However, with sexual identities, researchers are finding that adolescents who have same-sex attractions or w...

show abstract

Sexual identity, attractions, and behavior among young sexual-minority women over a 2-year period.

Cited by 292 publications

References 26 publications

The Coming-Out Process of Young Lesbian and Bisexual Women: Are There Butch/Femme Differences in Sexual Identity Development?

The Coming-Out Process of Young Lesbian and Bisexual Women: Are There Butch/Femme Differences in Sexual Identity Development?

The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescents and Adults

Sex, race/ethnicity, and romantic attractions: Multiple minority status adolescents and mental health.

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