In Mays and Cochran’s (2001) study on perceived discrimination among LGB adults in the U.S., gay and bisexual individuals reported higher frequencies of day-to-day and lifetime discrimination experiences as compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
When individuals or groups do not conform to socially assigned roles that fit this order, they may be oppressed and marginalized by some in the heterosexual majority and become vulnerable to discrimination as well as other culturally and socially produced damaging forces ( Savin-Williams, 2001 Stall, Freidman & Catania, 2008). United States (U.S.) society strives to maintain a hetero-normative order in which anything other than heterosexuality is stigmatized ( Grossman, 2001 Herek, Chopp & Strohl, 2007 Rivers & D’Augelli, 2001). Thus, this article takes a resilience-based approach to examining sexual orientation identity among gay/bisexual male adolescents by sharing their perceptions regarding the positive aspects of being gay/bisexual. Although the documentation and examination of various challenges faced by LGB adolescents is critical in helping researchers and practitioners to improve the life circumstances of LGB youth through different types of intervention, it is important to also highlight the strength and resiliency demonstrated by many LGB adolescents.
Unfortunately, much of the extant research on LGB adolescent developmental factors has had a primary focus on traumatic life experiences such as victimization, harassment, and rejection, and the subsequent negative impact of such events on mental and physical health outcomes (c.f., Bontempo & D’Augelli, 2002 D’Augelli, 2002 2006 D’Augelli & Hershberger, 1993 Garofalo, & Harper, 2003 Pilkington & D’Augelli, 1995 Ryan, Huebner, Diaz & Sanchez, 2009 Savin-Williams & Cohen, 1996 Telljohan & Price, 1993). When these influences are negative, psychological distress among adolescents may result, especially for those youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual ( Almeida, Johnson, Corliss, Molnar & Azrael, 2009 Hershberger & D’Augelli, 1995 Ueno, 2005).
Adolescent development is influenced by different levels of social interaction within multiple environmental systems ( Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1995), thus a range of individuals, peers and communities can play a significant role in an adolescent’s developing sense of identity. One of the most critical developmental tasks during adolescence is the development of a unique and personal identity ( Adams, Gullotta, & Montemayor, 1992 Erikson, 1980). Adolescence is a developmental period where young people are maturing physically, emotionally and socially as they transition into adulthood ( Erikson, 1980 Hill, 1983).
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