5 - Sexual and Gender Identities

Summary

This chapter provides an overview of theory and research in relation to identity development, coming out, and connecting with LGBTIQ communities. An introduction to – and critique of – stage model approaches to conceptualising sexuality and gender is provided, alongside an overview of how people come to understand their sexuality and gender. The complexities of sexual identity are exploredfrom the increasing use of plurisexual identity labels (e.g., pansexual, polysexual, queer) to the popularisation of public displays of suggestive lesbian acts and the heteroflexible ‘girl crush’. The process of identifying as trans and navigating transitioning is also discussed. Next, the chapter focuses on the disclosure of LGBTIQ identities through a review of research focusing on ‘coming out’ to families and friends, responses to disclosure, and the (often) strategic choice not to disclose. The final section of this chapter focuses on the ways in which LGBTIQ people find community, with a particular focus on the increasing use of online spaces. Some of the challenges of accessing these spaces and/or axes of exclusion experienced by some LGBTIQ people are also discussed.