2004/08/01 by Margaret Rosario, Eric W. Schrimshaw, Joyce Hunter · 4 citations
Medicine · Psychology · #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy #Reproductive Health and Technologies #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
paper · doi:10.1037/1099-9809.10.3.215
openalex publication_date 2004/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
This longitudinal report of 145 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths examined ethnic/racial differences in the coming-out process. No significant differences emerged in sexual developmental milestones, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, or sexual identity. However, Black youths reported involvement in fewer gay-related social activities, reported less comfort with others knowing their sexual identity, and disclosed that identity to fewer people than did White youths. Latino youths disclosed to fewer people than did White youths. Analyses of change indicated Black youths had greater increases in positive attitudes toward homosexuality and in certainty in their sexual identity over time than did White youths. These findings support the authors' hypothesis that cultural factors do not impede the formation of identity but may delay identity integration.