Changes in Sexual Identity Labels in a Contemporary Cohort of Emerging Adult Women: Patterns, Prevalence and a Typology

Abstract

Changes in sexual identity labels in a contemporary cohort of emerging adult women: patterns, prevalence and a typology Sexual attraction, behaviour and identity are subject to change across the life course for some individuals, and certain developmental periods such as emerging adulthood appear particularly conducive to this. However, the evidence documenting these phenomena comes overwhelmingly from data collected 10-20 years ago. In the brief interlude since, the socio-political context has changed markedly and increasing numbers of women are reporting non-heterosexuality. Drawing on contemporary data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (n = 16,870), we provide up to date evidence on changes in sexual identity labels among emerging adult women. We find that 19% of women changed their sexual identity label from one survey wave to the next, and 30.6% changed their identity label at least once across the four waves. Mostly heterosexual and bisexual labels were both more common and more stable in our sample than in previous studies. We propose a new typology of sexual identity sequences and fit this to our data, providing a blueprint for researchers looking to define sexual minority status longitudinally. Findings suggest that the ways women perceive and label their sexual orientation should be treated as dynamic phenomena situated within the nested temporalities of biographical and historical time.

Projecting the sexual minority population: Methods, data, and illustrative projections for Australia

“…It is important to underline the fact that sexual identity data represent a simplified (and sometimes imprecise) indication of an individual's sexual orientation. A person's sexual identity can be complex and multi-layered, and it may vary over time (Allen 2016;Campbell, Perales, and Baxter 2020;Diamond, Dickenson, and Blair 2017). The survey instrument used to collect sexual identity information acts as a 'statistical filter' of this more complex reality.…”

“…Ideally, changes in sexual identity over time would be measured and analysed using longitudinal survey or census microdata. However, reflecting the limited data environment, relatively few studies have been able to achieve this (e.g., Campbell, Perales, and Baxter 2020;Dickson et al 2013;Mock and Eibach 2012;Ott et al 2011). Some (but not all) suggest greater fluidity in female sexual identity (e.g., Katz-Wise 2015), and less stability in bisexual identities than other sexual minority identities.…”

“…After passing through the 'statistical filter' of the survey collection instrument, they form approximate representations of a more complex reality. Some identification changes may be due to a person's continuing sexual identity development, or the emergence of a previously unrecognised aspect of their sexuality (Campbell, Perales, and Baxter 2020). For others, an apparent identification change may be due to a change in circumstances, such as a move into an aged-care facility where an individual no longer feels comfortable disclosing a minority sexual identity (e.g., Lyons et al 2020), or a younger person's move out of the family home which enables them to be more open about their sexual identity.…”

Out of the Closet, Not Yet Out of the House: Gay Men’s Experiences of Homonegativity and Internalized Homonegativity

“…The socioecological environment of non-heteronormative and, particularly, sexual minority groups, within a western context, is argued to be a rapidly evolving environment [38]. However, it was only over the last century that more positive attitudes emerged; in 1957, Evelyn Hooker was credited as the first psychologist to challenge the dominant view of homosexuality being a disorder [39].…”

It’s a Man’s World: A Qualitative Study of Gender and Sexuality amongst Australian Gay Men

“…The social environment of gender and sexuality diverse groups, within a Western context, is rapidly evolving [ 32 ]. It is only within the past century that more positive attitudes have emerged.…”