Sex hormones in the prenatal brain of humans influence the subsequent sexual status or orientation of the individual as bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual. Postnatal socialization is another contributing factor. Sexual orientation is not under the direct governance of chromosomes and genes. (Author/VM)

Recent studies show that those lesbians and gays who are comfortable and "out" with their identities exhibit better psychological adjustment than those who are unaccepting and hidden. This paper explores the experiences of bisexuals within the gay and lesbian movement and shows how what is known about sexual orientation and the development of a…

Scientists should reconsider traditional empirical and theoretical paradigms that narrowly define sexual-minority adolescents in terms of those who adopt a culturally defined sexual identity label such as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. This will lead to a different understanding of sexual-minority youths than is apparent in most published studies.…

Seven essays by youths ages 14-18 describe their experiences of pain, alienation, and secrecy as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. (SK)

The cultural world of the Two Spirit, the traditional role of Native individuals believed to possess both male and female spirit, is explored in both "old ways" and current-day experiences. Cultural beliefs and meanings around sexual identity are discussed from a Native perspective with recommendations for counseling Two Spirit clients.…

Outlines the ethical considerations for sexual orientation conversion therapy for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. There are numerous reasons not to acquiesce to a client's desire to change his or her sexual orientation. Presents guidelines for responding to a client seeking reorientation and evaluating one's biases regarding lesbian, gay,…

Proposes visibility management as a key construct in gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) identity development. Visibility management refers to the dynamic, ongoing process by which GLB youth make careful, planned decisions about whether they will disclose their sexual orientation, to whom and how they disclose, and how they continue to monitor the…

Sexual identity development and environmental factors are central to the career assessment of lesbian, homosexual, and bisexual clients. Counselor biases and biases in career assessment tools must be recognized and dealt with. (SK)

Investigates risk factors associated with internalizing and externalizing problems among 169 gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents. Data were gathered on individual, family, and community risk factors and youths' mental health and behavioral functioning. Results suggest that adolescents should be carefully assessed for concerns related and not…

In this culture a person's sexual identity falls into one of four groups: heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual. Essentialism assumes that one is fixed with a core identity of either heterosexual or homosexual. Constructionism posits that categories of sexuality are constructed to meet the needs of a particular culture, society, and/or…

This paper discusses the importance of teaching issues related to sexual identity in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classrooms, highlighting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. Though the paper focuses on postsecondary students, much of the material can apply to other settings with modification. The paper looks at the…

Reviews methodological issues constraining research on the career development of gay/lesbian/bisexual people. Suggests a broader span of content, theory-based research, increased representation of populations, quantitative and qualitative methods, and designs that investigate within-group and between-group differences in career experiences. (SK)

Examines the impact of heterosexism on all children, noting that it is part of the educational infrastructure. Provides educators and administrators with information about the developmental nature of sexual identity, and offers preliminary recommendations about how educational institutions can begin developing a more open community that celebrates…

Youthquest! Lesbian and Gay Youth Society of British Columbia provides secure, supportive and comfortable social venues where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth can meet and explore the social, historic, intellectual, and emotional reality of their identity. The4 organization also provides education and information, and promote…

Explains how gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer/questioning students are denied equal education, offering reasons, based on principles of democracy and social justice, that unjust denial should be remedied. Discusses the importance of teaching values, describing how to analyze the competing claims of those advocating and those…