Abstract
Sexual orientation, determined early in life, may or may not match sexual identity, which can change over time. Starting with a review of some definitions of homosexuality in the literature, the author offers a definition that differentiates between orientation and identity. She goes on to describe several possible routes from gay orientation to gay identity, explains discrepancies, acknowledges the potential threat to subjective identity when sexual identity shifts, and argues that identity, not orientation, is open to choice. Two case examples illustrate some of these points.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bayer, R. (1987).Homosexuality and American psychiatry: The politics of diagnosis. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Bell, A., & Weinberg, M. (1978).Homosexualities: A study of diversity among men and women. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Berger, R. (1983). What is a homosexual? A definitional model.Social Work, 28(2), 132–135.
Cass, V. (1984). Homosexual identity: A concept in need of definition.Journal of Homosexuality, 9(2/3), 105–126.
Cohen, C., & Stein, T. (1986). Reconceptualizing individual psychotherapy with gay men and lesbians. In T. Stein & C. Cohen (Eds.)Contemporary perspectives on lesbians and gay men. New York: Plenum, pp. 27–54.
Coleman E. (1978). Toward a new model of treatment of homosexuality: A review.Journal of Homosexuality, 3(4), 345–359.
Coleman, E. (1988). Assessment of sexual orientation. In C. Coleman (Ed.)Integrated identity for gay men and lesbians. New York: Harrington Park, pp. 9–24.
Dannecker, M. (1985). Toward a theory of homosexuality: Socio-historical perspectives. In J. DeCecco (Ed.)Gay personality and sexual labeling. New York: Harrington Park, pp. 1–8.
Forstein, M. (1986). Psychodynamic psychotherapy with gay male couples. In T. Stein & C. Cohen (Eds.)Contemporary perspectives on lesbians and gay men. New York: Plenum, pp. 103–137.
Freud, S. (1905).Three essays on the theory of sexuality. New York: Basic Books.
Goffman, E. (1963).Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity: Engelwood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Goldberg, R. (1984). Heterosexual panic.American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 44(2), 209–211.
Hart, J. (1985). Therapeutic implications of viewing sexual identity in terms of essentialist and constructionist theories. In J. DeCecco (Ed.)Gay personality and sexual labeling. New York: Harrington Park, pp. 39–51.
Hencken, J. (1985). Conceptualizations of homosexual behavior which preclude homosexual self-labeling. In J. DeCecco (Ed.)Gay personality and sexual labeling. New York: Harrington Park, pp. 53–63.
Issay, R. (1986). On the analytic therapy of gay men. In T. Stein & C. Cohen (Eds.)Contemporary perspectives on psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men. New York: Plenum, pp. 139–155.
Kirkpatrick, M., & Morgan, C. (1980). Psychodynamic psychotherapy of female homosexuality. In J. Marmor (Ed.)Homosexual behavior: A modern reappraisal. New York: Basic Books, pp. 357–375.
Marmor, J. (1980). Overview: The multiple roots of homosexual behavior. In J. Marmor (Ed.)Homosexual behavior: A modern reappraisal. New York: Basic Books, pp. 3–22.
Monteflores, C. (1986). Notes on management of difference. In T. Stein & C. Cohen (Eds.)Contemporary perspectives on psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men. New York: Plenum, pp. 73–101.
McDougall, J. (1986). Identifications, neoneeds and neosexualities.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 67(19), 19–31.
Richardson, D. (1984). The dilemma of essentiality in homosexual theory.Journal of Homosexuality, 9(2/3), 79–90.
Saghir, M., & Robins, E. (1980). Clinical aspects of female homosexuality. In J. Marmor (Ed.)Homosexual behavior: A modern reappraisal. New York: Basic Books, pp. 280–295.
Sanders, D. (1980). A psychotherapeutic approach to homosexual men. In J. Marmor (Ed.)Homosexual behavior: A modern reappraisal. New York: Basic Books, pp. 342–356.
Stoller, R. (1968).Sex and gender: On the development of masculinity and femininity. New York: Science House.
Troiden, R. (1988).Gay and lesbian identity: A sociological analysis. New York: General Hall.
Warren, C. (1980). Homosexuality and stigma. In J. Marmor (Ed.)Homosexual behavior: A modern reappraisal. New York: Basic Books, pp. 123–141.
Weinberg, G. (1972).Society and the healthy homosexual. New York: St. Martin's.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reiter, L. Sexual orientation, sexual identity, and the question of choice. Clin Soc Work J 17, 138–150 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756141
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756141