Gender Atypicality and Sexual Orientation Development Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

SUMMARY A sample of 528 self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth aged 15 to 19 were recruited from three community-based organizations. Sexual orientation milestones and events related to youths' childhood gender atypicality were examined and compared to current self-esteem and internalized homophobia. Three-quarters felt different from other youth as they were growing up. Two-thirds were considered gender atypical by others, at about age 8. Over half reported that their parents considered them gender atypical, and half of these parents tried to change youths' behavior. Self-rated childhood gender atypicality was strongly associated with participants' reports of others' perception of their gender atypicality as well as the youths' current self-evaluated gender atypicality. Neither childhood nor current gender atypicality was related to current self-esteem or internalized homophobia.