Toward an inclusive model of lesbian identity development: Outlining a common and nuanced model for cis and trans women

ABSTRACT

This article proposes an integrative model of lesbian identity development that places cis and trans women together as equal contributors. Two of the most influential current models of female sexuality are reviewed, and we use their commonalities to build the foundation of our integrative model. We also use Tate's model of lesbian identity as a scaffolding to integrate trans women's experiences alongside cis women's. Finally, we provide the outline of the Inclusive Model of Female Sexuality and discuss the convergences and divergences that exist between cis women and trans women in the formation of lesbian identity.

KEYWORDS:

• Women's sexuality
• lesbian identity
• trans women
• queer
• development

Note

Notes on contributors

Charlotte Chucky Tate is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at San Francisco State University. She identifies as a “soft-butch dyke (circa 1993),” and also happens to be a trans woman. She conducts research on queer-inclusive models of sexual identity, trans*-inclusive models of gender identity, and the intersections of these (and more) identities.

Mercedes D. Pearson is a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at San Francisco State University. She identifies as a “lesbian woman,” and also happens to be a cis woman. Her research interests include the development of sexual identity and gender identity.

Notes

1. The use of “\” on “queer\” is meant to indicate a subset, rather than all possible groups, and can thereby be contrasted with the “queer+” label to capture in language the two uses of the same term “queer” in U.S. discourse.