|
Stages
|
Possible
Feelings & Behaviors
|
Needs
at This Time
|
|
1. Confusion
|
- Feeling "different."
- Same sex attractions,
- Same sex dreams and fantasies
|
- Need support
- Need Readings
- There is strength in "different."
- Do not label yourself
|
|
2. Comparison
|
- Continued sense of difference from peers
- Strong same-sex attractions,
pre-occupations
- Anxiety about fitting in
- Social isolation, alienation, and shame
|
- All of the above, plus:
- Admission of fears, anxieties, shame
- Identify with positive role models
- Find age appropriate peer supports,
resources.
|
|
3. Tolerance
|
- Actively seek out GLBT peers or adults
- Living "double life" with secret
GLBT self
- Denial of sexuality
|
- All of the above, plus:
- Maintain safe, supportive relationships
- Careful about inappropriate sexuality with
adults
- Find healthy GLBT peer social activities
- Need to talk about fears of exposure
|
|
4. Exposure
|
- Increased contact with GLBT peers
- Severe loneliness/alienation if peers not
available
- May be scapegoated at home/school
- Fear of being "outed."
|
- All of the above, plus:
- If sexually active, must be safe
- Ramifications of coming out.
- Affirm your basic self worth
- Explore and build self esteem
|
|
5. Pride
|
- Us/them attitude about heterosexuality
- Belief in superiority of GLBT lifestyle
- Aggressively "out" stance
- Sexually active to bolster identity
- Anger at prejudice and discrimination
|
- All of the above, plus:
- Support self-acceptance and pride.
- Have and maintain healthy supportive
relationships with heterosexuals
- Careful about "crashing out"
|
|
6. Synthesis
|
- Rejoin supportive heterosexuals
- Increased empathy
- Renew emphasis on work, school, and family
roles
|
- Support efforts to bridge GLBT self with
aspects of identity
|
