Sexualities and Geographic Mobility Between Childhood and Adulthood in the United States

Abstract

Though research suggests that sexual minorities (e.g., nonheterosexual individuals) are more geographically mobile in the transition to adulthood than their heterosexual counterparts, quantitative estimates are rare and previously used data sources have significant limitations. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 11,705) that directly measure sexualities across dimensions (i.e., identity, behavior, and attraction), I examine variation in geographic mobility between childhood (ages 11–17) and adulthood (ages 26–34) across various sexualities (e.g., gay/lesbian and bisexual). Three findings emerge. First, mobility varies across sexualities. Individuals with gay/lesbian identity, same-sex behavior, and same-sex attraction are more geographically mobile than individuals with heterosexual identity, different-sex behavior, and different-sex attraction, respectively. By contrast, individuals with bisexual identity, both-sex behavior, and both-sex attraction tend to be statistically indistinct from individuals with heterosexual identity, different-sex behavior, and different-sex attraction, respectively. Second, mobility differences are largest and most prevalent when sexualities are operationalized according to identity. Third, evidence suggests that the effects of gay/lesbian identity, same-sex behavior, and same-sex attraction on mobility are larger for men than for women. In providing the first quantitative estimates of geographic mobility differences across broader sexual minority and heterosexual populations, this study expands inquiry related to sexualities and mobility.

Beyond Mortality: The Social and Health Impacts of COVID-19 among Older (55+) BIPOC and LGBT Respondents in a Canada-Wide Survey

“…Along similar lines, we found that LGBT respondents also experienced greater changes to their family and social support. Such findings may reflect the greater geographic mobility of LGBT persons relative to heterosexual persons [37], further challenging their kin access during COVID-19 restrictions.…”

Parent–adult child estrangement in the United States by gender, race/ethnicity, and sexuality

“…LGB people appear to have fewer family contacts and confidants than heterosexuals (Dewaele et al, 2011; Fischer, 2022), report significant effort needed to maintain ties with parents (Bosley‐Smith & Reczek, 2022), and tend to rank social support from friends as more consistent and more important than support from family (Graham & Barnow, 2013; Lyons et al, 2013). Further, gay and lesbian individuals have greater geographic distance from parents relative to other sexual identity groups, suggesting less secure ties (Levine, 2022). Given this large body of work, it is likely that LGB adults are more likely to experience estrangement from parents than heterosexual children, and this may be especially true for the paternal tie given research showing that fathers are more likely to have homophobic reactions to their children than mothers (Bucher, 2014; Stacey, 2021; Stacey & Padavic, 2021).…”