Historical Perspectives on Sexual-Affectional Identity Development

This chapter delves into the historical perspectives on sexual-affectional identity development, encompassing key aspects such as the development of terminology, significant dates and events for sexual-affectional identity minoritized groups, cross-cultural perspectives, the role of helping professions in marginalization, and a critical review of models of sexual-affectional identity development. By exploring historical shifts in language and conceptualization, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of key terms used to describe sexual-affectional identity. The chapter critically evaluates the role of helping professions in perpetuating marginalization and discrimination against sexually minoritized individuals, emphasizing the need for ethical and inclusive practices within clinical mental health counseling. The chapter critically appraises existing models of sexual-affectional identity development, questioning linear and stage-based frameworks. Students will employ alternative models that recognize the fluidity, intersectionality, and diverse experiences within sexual-affectional identity development. Finally, this chapter provides graduate-level students with the historical, cultural, and theoretical foundations to approach sexual-affectional identity development from a comprehensive and inclusive clinical mental health counseling perspective. It enables them to better support and advocate for individuals with intersectional, minoritized sexual-affectional identities in their professional practice.

Keywords

Sexual-affectional identities affirming models identity development

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: LGBTQ+ Affirmative Counseling
A Student and Practitioner Handbook
, pp. 130 - 151
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009342407.008 [Opens in a new window]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

American Psychological Association. (2021). APA guidelines for psychological practice with sexual minority persons. www.apa.org/about/policy/psychological-sexual-minority-persons.pdf Google Scholar

Bailey, L. R., & Farquhar, C. (2020). Working with LGBTIQA+ populations: An integrated approach. In James, C. & Nadal, A. (eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of psychology and gender (pp. 1155–1157). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar

Bauer, G. R., Scheim, A. I., & Deutsch, M. B. (2019). Intersectional inequalities in mental health: A systematic review of Canadian research. Journal of Homosexuality, 66(5), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1012-4Google Scholar

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167. https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=uclf Google Scholar

Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299. https://doi.org/10.2307/1229039CrossRef Google Scholar

D’Augelli, A. R. (1994). Identity development and sexual orientation: Toward a model of lesbian, gay, and bisexual development. In Trickett, E. J., Watts, R. J., & Birman, D. (eds.), Human diversity: Perspectives on people in context (pp. 312–333). Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar

Davies, D. (2014). Queer theory in social work practice. In Levin, B. J. & Kilbane, J. S. (eds.), Handbook of clinical social work supervision (pp. 327–341). New York: Columbia University Press.Google Scholar

Fish, J. N., & Karjalainen, A. (2020). Queer theory. In Naples, N. A. (ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of gender and sexuality studies (pp. 1–5). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.Google Scholar

Frey, L. L., & Myers, J. E. (2019). Feminist therapy. In Horne, A. M. & Osborn, M. J. (eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques (3rd edition, pp. 273–304). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.Google Scholar

Hall, W. J., Dawes, H. C., & Plocek, N. (2021). Sexual orientation identity development milestones among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 753954. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753954CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., Owen, J., Worthington Jr., E. L., & Utsey, S. O. (2013). Cultural humility: Measuring openness to culturally diverse clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(3), 353–366. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032595CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

hooks, b. (2014). Feminism is for everybody: Passionate politics. London: Routledge.CrossRef Google Scholar

Larkins, C., & Peterson-Badali, M. (2017). Affirmative and liberatory practices with LGBTQ+ youth: A qualitative analysis of practitioners’ perspectives. Journal of Homosexuality, 64(10), 1357–1377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-021-01783-wGoogle Scholar

Lev, A. I. (2004). Transgender emergence: Therapeutic guidelines for working with gender-variant people and their families. London: Routledge.Google Scholar

Lum, D., & George, S. (2014). Cultural humility: A concept analysis. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 25(4), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659615592677Google Scholar

Martin, C. L., & Ruble, D. N. (2010). Patterns of gender development. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 353–381. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100511CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674–697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Moe, J., Reicherzer, S., & Dupuy, P. (2011). Models of sexual and relational orientation: A critical review and synthesis. Journal of Counseling & Development, 89, 227–233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00081.xCrossRef Google Scholar

Nelson, G., & Prilleltensky, I. (2010). Community psychology: In pursuit of liberation and well-being. London: Palgrave Macmillan.CrossRef Google Scholar

Prilleltensky, I. (2008). The role of power in wellness, oppression, and liberation: The promise of psychopolitical validity. Journal of Community Psychology, 36(2), 116–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20225CrossRef Google Scholar

Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2011). Different patterns of sexual identity development over time: Implications for the psychological adjustment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Journal of Sex Research, 48(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490903331067CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., Hunter, J., & Braun, L. (2006). Sexual identity development among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths: Consistency and change over time. Journal of Sex Research, 43(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490609552298CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Savin-Williams, R. C., & Diamond, L. M. (2000). Sexual identity trajectories among sexual-minority youths: Gender comparisons. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 29(6), 607–627. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002058505138CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tervalon, M., & Murray-García, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2010.0233.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Troiden, R. R. (1989). The formation of homosexual identities. Journal of Homosexuality, 17(1–2), 43–73. https://doi.org/10.1300/J082v17n01_02CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Accessibility standard: Unknown

Why this information is here

This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.

Accessibility Information

Accessibility compliance for the HTML of this chapter is currently unknown and may be updated in the future.

Book contents

8 - Historical Perspectives on Sexual-Affectional Identity Development

Summary