Living Out Proud: Factors Contributing to Healthy Identity Development in Lesbian Leaders | Reflection

 Living Out Proud: Factors Contributing to Healthy Identity Development in Lesbian Leaders

Tammy R. Bringaze & Lyle J. White

Brief overview:

The study surveyed 62 lesbian leaders and role models in the hope to identify factors that contribute to the process of being psychologically well-adjusted to one's lesbian identity. And hope to integrate these factors into future counselling sessions. The five factors are: Association (ex. LGBTQ+ friends quality, community support, role models), self-help (ex. books, meditation, websites), counselling (ex can help normalize the questioning of one's sexual identity, and reframing external, negative association and views about lesbians to a more positive one), religion and spirituality (ex. has a negative relation of becoming successful in accepting one's identity), and family (ex. family acceptance is important to coming-out). 


Interesting notes:

- Conversion therapy ("reparative therapy" "gay cure therapy") was/is a twisted practice that attempts to change one's sexual orientation or gender identity. Often use talk therapy, prayers, exorcism, psychical violence, food deprivation, corrective rape. 

- McCarn and Fissinger (1996) noted that "disclosure is not necessarily related to successful lesbian identity development, due to the negative societal views and the potential discrimination against lesbians" (Bringaze & White, 2001)

- For therapists, it is vital for them to be at ease with their sexual identity, to be well-knowledged in the area of LGBTQ+ resources, and have their own healthy relationships with other LGBTQ+ community members. Then to help the clients, they should first normalize the questioning of one's sexual identity. They can use resources such as Kinsey's sexuality continuum scale. Then they can move on to resolving the negative external messages surrounding their lesbian identity from childhood and existing social roles, to reframe it into a positive meaning of being a lesbian. 

- Religion is often a barrier to coming out; therefore, the therapist can direct actions such as finding a more inclusive congregation, looking into scripture a different way, leaving the religion setting, finding support from people who are lesbian and religious members, and realizing the difference between religion and spirituality (Bringaze & White, 2001).

- If client wants to disclose to family members, should inform them on realistic consequences of doing so. Therapist can use methods such as role-playing, empty chair technique, letter writing to rehearse the process. Note that parents/friends need time to process the information too. 

 



References

Bringaze, T. R, & White, L. J. (2001).  Living out proud: Factors contributing to healthy identity development in lesbian leaders. Journal of Mental health Counselling, 23(2), 162-173. 


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