THREE STAGES

1
THREE STAGES

• Friend, 1991

2
Optimal Affirmation Outcome

• Grew up in hostile environment, but rejected
  negative images and adopted positive identity
• Some through personal and political activism
• Likely to be open with and accepted by families
  of origin
• Encourage family to challenge homophobia
• Attained high psychological adjustment
• Research tends to reflect this group as most
  visible
• Main characteristic of those reporting lower
  satisfaction was their perception that
  stigmatised sexual orientation resulted in failed
  careers and relationships with friends and
  partners

3
Stereotypical Option

• Conformed to negative beliefs
• Hid sexual orientation
• Lived with shame, self-loathing, guilt
• Alienated, lonely, depressed
• Secrecy hid all or parts of themselves from
  family and friends
• Created wall of separation and distance
• Contact with family minimal and superficial
• Distanced from other lesbians and gays
• Unlikely develop support from lesbians and gays
  to challenge negative images

4
Passing Option

• Little less isolation, not totally accepting
  negative views
• Believed heterosexuality superior but marginally
  accepted same-sex orientation
• Not fully accept as felt valued for what others
  expected them to be rather than for who they
  really were
• Often heterosexually married
• Remained married and closeted to pass
• Keep distance from identifiable lesbians and gays
• If in link-up with one, did it in such a way as
  to still appear heterosexual
• Lived in two worlds public, secret emotional
  costs often high