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Development and identity issues in adolescent homosexuality

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To the doctor, you were sick; to the lawyer, you were a criminal; to the minister, you were wicked.

Abstract

This paper argues that homosexual emergence in adolescence must be viewed from a developmentally non-pejorative perspective. In attempting to respond to the special stresses in adolescents who are developing gay or lesbian identities, helping professionals need to develop a familiarity with the unique developmental tasks of gay and lesbian youth, as well as the sexual identity formation literature generally. A review of developmental issues for gay and lesbian youth leads to some thoughts regarding the development of services.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Community and Social Services, 3rd Floor, Hepburn Block, M7A 1E9, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Terrence Sullivan M.A. (Senior Policy Analyst)

  2. Sexual Orientation and Youth Project, Central Toronto Youth Services, Toronto, Canada

    Margaret Schneider Ph.D. (Research Co-ordinator)

Authors
  1. Terrence Sullivan M.A.
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  2. Margaret Schneider Ph.D.
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Additional information

This paper is one of several reviews and research reports produced is part of the Sexual Orientation and Youth Project, a project examining the issues regarding service delivery to gay youth. The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

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Sullivan, T., Schneider, M. Development and identity issues in adolescent homosexuality. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 4, 13–24 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00757866

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