The Narrative Research of Sexual Identity Development and Discrimination of Adolescent Gays When Coming out to Their Peers

• Main Authors: Jen-Wei Chung, 鍾仁惟
• Other Authors: Ya-Chin Lang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/58591975399769668668

碩士 === 大葉大學 === 教育專業發展研究所 === 101 === The purpose of this research is to explore the “coming out to their peers”, “sexual identity development” and “discrimination” experiences of adolescent gays. The research participants included four males who identified themselves as homosexual and had already come out to their peers. By applying the method of narrative research, this study analyzed and interpreted those four research participants’ stories. This research used six stages of the Cass Model to examine the stories and their development: 1. “Identify Confusion” stage; 2. “Identify Comparison” stage; 3. “Identify Tolerance” stage; 4. “Identify Acceptance” stage; 5. “Identify Pride” stage; and 6. “Identify Synthesis” stage. The first research participant was coming out in situations such as “meet another gay”, “fall in love with classmates” and “was discovered by friends”. He used “tolerance” and “being strong” to confront discrimination. His sexual identity was at “Identify Acceptance” and “Identify Pride” stages. The second research participant was coming out to his peers in a natural way, and he has not confronted any discrimination so far. His sexual identity was at “Identify Acceptance”, “Identify Pride” and “Identify Synthesis” stages. The third research participant was coming out in situations of “fall in love with classmates”, and he used “disregard” and “should teach them” to confront discrimination. His sexual identity was at the stage of “Identify Synthesis”. The fourth research participant was coming out to his peers in a natural way, and he has not confronted any discrimination yet. However, he thinks he might use the way of “fight back” to confront discrimination. His sexual identity was at the stage of “Identify Synthesis”. These four research participants all have experienced stages of “Identify Acceptance”, “Identify Pride” and “Identify Synthesis”. It seems that they also have higher stages of sexual identity and have encountered less discrimination or non- discrimination compared to other related studies. From the findings, we may say that today’s adolescent is more tolerate on gay issues; some campuses can embrace minorities. Educators should work hard to eliminate any discrimination, and let all children grow up and learn freely in a safe place. Other findings and suggestions are stated in the paper.