Abstract
In this chapter, we review existing research examining sibling relationships where at least one sibling is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ). We review research examining predictors of coming out to siblings and factors that are associated with heterosexual siblings’ acceptance and support of their LGBTQ brother or sister. We also review qualitative research that has investigated how the coming out process influences identity, experiences, coping, and relationship dynamics among LGBTQ persons and their siblings. We discuss the limitations and provide directions for future research in this area. We conclude with a discussion of how the research findings may be used by practitioners, including mental health providers and educators.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barrow, K. M. (2013). When a second child comes out as LGBT: Examining sibling relationships and family [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Virginia Tech University.
Bartel, C. M. (2012). Relational factors influencing self-disclosure of gender identity in sibling relationships [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Bosse, J. (2019). Transgender young adults, sibling relationships, and mental health [Unpublished doctoral dissertation abstract]. University of Massachusetts-Amherst. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/1566.
Cain, R. (1991). Relational contexts and information management among gay men. Families in Society, 72, 344–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/104438949107200603.
Chan, C. S. (1989). Issues of identity development among Asian-American lesbians and gay men. Journal of Counseling and Development, 68, 16–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1989.tb02485.x.
D’Augelli, A. R., Grossman, A. H., & Starks, M. T. (2008). Families of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth: What do parents and siblings know and how do they react? Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 4, 95–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504280802084506.
Davis, S. (2018). Examining the experience of trans identity and gender transition through the lens of cisgender siblings: A phenomenological investigation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Simon Fraser University.
English, K. (2008). Siblings of lesbian sisters: Conceptually mapping their roles and experiences throughout the family’s coming-out process [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Chestnut Hill College.
Haxhe, S., & D’Amore, S. (2014). Siblings in the coming-out process. In H. Pereira & P. Costa (Eds.), Coming-out for LGBT: Psychology in the current international scenario (pp. 298– 305). Libson, Portugal: University of Beira Interior.
Haxhe, S., Cerezo, A., Bergfeld, J., & Walloch, J. C. (2018). Siblings and the coming-out process: A comparative case study. Journal of Homosexuality, 65, 407–426. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2017.1321349.
Harvey, R. G. (2007). The experience of disclosure of queer identity within sibling dyads [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Syracuse University.
Hilton, A. N., & Szymanski, D. M. (2011). Family dynamics and changes in sibling of origin relationship after lesbian and gay sexual orientation disclosure. Contemporary Family Therapy, 33, 291–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-011-9157-3.
Hilton, A. N., & Szymanski, D. M. (2014). Predictors of heterosexual siblings’ acceptance of their lesbian sister or gay brother. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 8, 164–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2014.895664.
Huang, J., Chen, E. C., & Ponterotto, J. G. (2016). Heterosexual Chinese Americans’ experiences of their lesbian and gay sibling’s coming out. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 7, 147–158. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000051.
Kashubeck-West, S., Szymanski, D. M., & Meyer, J. (2008). Internalized heterosexism: Clinical implications and training considerations. The Counseling Psychologist, 36, 615–630. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000007309634.
Pistella, J., Caricato, V., & Baiocco, R. (2020). Coming out to siblings and parents in an Italian sample of lesbian women and gay men. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29, 2916–2929. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01597-0.
Rothblum, E. D. (2010). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender siblings. In J. Caspi (Ed.), Sibling development: Implications for mental health practitioners (pp. 123–145). New York, NY: Springer.
Salvati, M., Pistella, J., Ioverno, S., Laghi, F., & Baiocco, R. (2018). Coming out to siblings and internalized sexual stigma: The moderating role of gender in a sample of Italian participants. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 14, 405–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428X.2017.1369916.
Savin-Williams, R. C. (2001). Mom, dad. I’m gay. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Toomey, R. B., & Richardson, R. A. (2009). Perceived sibling relationships of sexual minority youth. Journal of Homosexuality, 56, 849–860. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918360903187812.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Szymanski, D.M., Hilton, A.N. (2021). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Siblings. In: Buchanan, A., Rotkirch, A. (eds) Brothers and Sisters. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55985-4_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55985-4_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-55984-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-55985-4
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)