Age Differences in Lesbian¹Identity Development and Drinking

Abstract

Women who "come out" as lesbian must learn to cope with a stigmatized identity. Stress associated with the sexual identity development process is a commonly posed explanation for the high rates of "heavy drinking" and drinking consumption-related problems within this population. However, relatively little is known about the sexual identity development process in lesbians and even less about lesbians' drinking patterns during this process. Growing societal tolerance and visibility of sexual minorities over the past 35 years has likely created substantially different environments and experiences of coming out for individuals of different age cohorts. Data from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study provided the opportunity to examine relationships between variables associated with lesbian identity development and alcohol use-related problems in three age cohorts of self-identified lesbians. The study's limitations are noted.

Variations in Sexual Identity Milestones Among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals

“…Sexual identity milestones are used to identify life events that mark when an individual first recognizes, explores, or accepts their same-sex sexual attraction or identity (Floyd & Stein, 2002; Grov, Bimbi, Nanin & Parsons, 2006; Parks & Hughes, 2007; Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000). Sexual identity milestones are measured by: the age a person first becomes aware of their same-sex attraction, the age of their first same-sex intimate relationship, and the age of first self-identification as a sexual minority (e.g., gay ).…”

“…Studies have found that bisexuals report first being aware of their same-sex attraction several years later than both gay men and lesbians (Maguen, Floyd, Bakeman & Armistead, 2002; Gates, 2010; Floyd & Stein, 2002). When considering age cohort, younger cohorts of lesbians experienced sexual identity milestones at an earlier age than older cohorts (Grov, Bimbi, Nanin, & Parsons, 2006; Parks & Hughes, 2007). This acceleration may be explained by growing social acceptance of LGB people (Baunach, 2012).…”

“…Studies have found that younger cohorts of sexual minorities report significantly younger age of first disclosure than older cohorts, possibly reflecting the increased visibility and acceptance of LGB people over time (Dube & Savin-Williams, 1999; Grov, Bimbi, Nanin & Parsons 2006; Maguen, Floyd, Bakeman & Armistead, 2002; Parks & Hughes, 2007; Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000). These studies did not find differences in age of first disclosure by gender, sexual identity, or race/ethnicity.…”

“…For example, it has been suggested that experiences of stress, such as internal conflict about living as a sexual minority or living in an anti-LGB environment, could contribute to a greater time between when a person becomes aware of their sexual minority identity and when they first disclose that identity (D’Augelli, Hershberger, & Pilkington, 1998; Parks, 1999). The time between these same milestones also has been found to be shorter for younger cohorts than older cohorts, as has the time between first wondering about one’s non-heterosexual identity and first coming to accept it (Parks & Hughes, 2007). Women have reported a shorter time between first realization and first disclosure of their sexual identity (D’Augelli & Grossman, 2001, Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000).…”

“…As such, scholarship from the mid-1990s forward has forgone a linear model in favor of examining different patterns of LGB experiences by looking at milestones, many focusing on three distinct aspects of sexual identity development: sexual identity milestones, disclosure milestones, and the time between milestones (Floyd & Stein, 2002; Grov, Bimbi, Nanin & Parsons, 2006; Parks & Hughes, 2007; Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000). It is important to continue to study sexual identity development because sexual identities and the social environment in which sexual minorities come out continue to evolve.…”