How Sexuality and Gender Identity Develop in Adolescence
By: Cayley Fleischman, BSc. Neuroscience & Psychology Student, University of Lethbridge
Happy Pride! As many people know, June is 2SLGBTQ+ Pride Month, so to bring awareness to issues facing our children as well as work towards creating a more inclusive environment, this week’s blog post will discuss how sexuality and gender identity develop in adolescence and explore ways to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
The 2SLGBTQ+ community, often referred to as the LGBT or LGBTQ+ community, is a group of individuals who have sexual orientations or gender identities that are not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender. While that definition may be straightforward to some, to others it may be a bit confusing. So, in order to learn more about this topic, we first need to understand some of the vocabulary that’s used:
- Sexual Orientation: refers to who someone is sexually attracted to
- Romantic Orientation: refers to who someone is romantically attracted to
- Gender Identity: refers to someone’s internal sense of being a man, woman, or other identity (such as non-binary)
Though there are many different sexual orientations and gender identities, the acronym 2SLGBTQ+ uses the following terms:
- 2S (Two-spirit): an umbrella term used to describe various gender identities in indigenous cultures
- Lesbian: a woman or trans-feminine person who is attracted to other women or trans-feminine people
- Gay: attraction to someone of the same sex; often used to describe men and trans-masculine individuals, but is also used as umbrella term
- Bisexual: attraction to two or more sexes; also defined as attraction to two or more genders
- Transgender: an individual whose gender does not match the biological sex they were assigned at birth
- Queer: an umbrella term that is used by some members to describe their identity.
o Some members of the community have reclaimed the word queer while others still consider it to be derogatory. You should absolutely avoid using this term toward an individual unless they inform you that they are comfortable with it.
- +: includes other identities such as asexual, pansexual, etc.
Other important terms that are commonly used and are important to understand when learning more about sexual orientation and gender identity include:
- Biological sex: a designation given by medical professionals when someone is born based on their sex organs, hormones, and chromosomes; this typically includes female, intersex, and male
- Cisgender: an individual whose gender identity matches the biological sex they were assigned at birth
- Heterosexual: an individual who is attracted to the opposite sex; also known as straight
Now with knowledge of the language used in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, we can start to discuss how sexuality and gender identity develop and what that may look like in adolescence. Unfortunately, due to stigmas surrounding 2SLGBTQ+ topics, there lacks a great deal of research in this area and only now are more studies being done. However, recent research has begun to shed light on the process of sexuality and gender development in youth.
Previous studies created a model for 2SLGBTQ+ development in which certain “milestones” were met before moving to the next. These milestones include: “sensitization”, which is becoming aware of one’s same-sex attraction, “identity confusion”, which is when one shows a behavioural response to the stigma or stress of having same-sex attraction, and “identity commitment”, which is when one reaches an understanding regarding their identity. While this theory was popular for many years, it has several drawbacks when compared to modern research. This milestone model doesn’t describe differences between sexes, differences in behaviours and environments, and was created using information from only gay and lesbian adolescents (as opposed to bisexual individuals).
We now know that sexuality and gender development isn’t as structured and doesn’t come with “milestones”. In fact, it is usually rather fluid and has no consistent pattern; everyone seems to have their own pace. However, due to the nature of adolescent development, many individuals begin to question aspects of their sexuality and gender identity during this time. Development in adolescence is characterized by physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes; however, a significant part of development during this time is change regarding one’s relationships, values, and identities. Because of this, many adolescents begin to question parts of their identity such as sexuality and gender. In fact, the average age in which 2SLGBTQ+ individuals begin to self-identify is 16!
In order to help with this journey of self-discovery, it’s important to provide adolescents who are questioning a safe environment in which they can begin to establish their identities. It’s also important to educate yourself on different aspects of what it means to be 2SLGBTQ+ as well as what experiences or difficulties members of this community face. There are many misconceptions about being 2SLGBTQ+, but two things to keep in mind are:
1. Being gay is not a choice.
In fact, research has shown that there are some structural and functional changes in the brains of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals when compared to those who are heterosexual or cisgender (Kolb et al., 2019). We also know that these changes are influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors during development during pregnancy and early childhood. Put simply, being gay isn’t a conscious decision; there are many biological and developmental factors that influence one’s sexuality and gender identity.
2. Being gay is not a phase.
Since many 2SLGBTQ+ people begin to explore their identities in adolescence, many are quick to assume that identifying as gay is just a phase as youth try to find their own identity. However, studies following individuals who identified as 2SLGBTQ+ in their teens found that an overwhelming majority still identified as 2SLGBTQ+ once they reached adulthood (Rosario et al., 2006). Only a very small percentage of these teens went back to identifying as heterosexual. Being gay is not something someone just “grows out of”, it’s something that sticks with them for life.
Due in part to these misconceptions and other stigmas surrounding sexuality and gender identity, 2SLGBTQ+ youth are at greater risk for substance abuse, depression, suicide, and face more discrimination and harassment compared to youth who do not identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Members of the community still continue to face prejudice and inequality, so it’s important to be an ally, show solidarity, and offer support whenever possible. But what does being an ally entail? There are many ways to show allyship, but some common practices include:
- Taking steps to educate yourself on 2SLGBTQ+ terms as well as current events and issues impacting the community
- Volunteering with or donating to pride organizations
- Working to provide safe and welcoming spaces by practicing allyship at work, at home, and in your community
- Speaking out against homophobic behaviours and holding others accountable for their actions
- Supporting equality policies in your workplace or community
Even things as small as stating your pronouns when you meet someone can demonstrate allyship and create a safe environment. A little action can go a long way, and it’s important to remember that what may seem insignificant to you could mean a lot to someone else.
Parents, educators, and caregivers can help support youth by actively showing allyship and providing resources that may help youth articulate how they feel or how they identify. By having honest, non-judgemental conversations, you can work to create a safe space for youth to explore their identity.
With a positive environment and a support system that recognizes and validates them, individuals may feel able to come out and begin to fully embrace who they are.
Resources:
Lethbridge Pride: https://www.lethbridgepride.com
The annual Lethbridge Pride Parade is happening on June 25 at 11am starting at Civic Centre Park and going to Galt Gardens!
Defining 2SLGBTQ+ Terms: https://www.trentu.ca/currentstudents/sites/trentu.ca.currentstudents/files/documents/Defining%202SLGBTQ+%20Terms%20OoC.pdf
How to Support Your LGBTQ Friends and Family: https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/how-to-support-your-lgbtq-friends-and-family
References:
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011. 4, Childhood/Adolescence. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64808/
Kolb, B., Whishaw, I. Q., & Teskey, G. C. (2019). An introduction to brain and behaviour. Worth Publishers.
Kress, V. E., Paylo, M. J., & Stargell, N. (2018). Counseling Children and Adolescents. Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780134745244
Saewyc E. M. (2011). RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ORIENTATION: DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH DISPARITIES, STIGMA AND RESILIENCE. Journal of research on adolescence : the official journal of the Society for Research on Adolescence, 21(1), 256–272. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00727.x