Factors Associated with Parents’ Knowledge of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths’ Sexual Orientation

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths’ parents’ knowledge of their children's sexual orientation. Over a 2-year period, we studied 196 youths whose parents were aware or unaware of their children's sexual orientation, and youths whose sexual orientation became known to their parents. Differences between youths in their sexual orientation development, psychosocial adjustment, support, victimization by parents, and involvement in GLB social activities were considered. Youths whose parents were aware of their sexual orientation indicated that they were more same-sex oriented and reported less internalized homophobia than youths in the other two groups. Youths whose sexual orientation became known had poorer parental relationships and also feared parental harassment and rejection.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• gay
• lesbian
• sexual orientation
• sexuality
• family

This project was supported by grant RO1-MH58155 from the National Institute of Mental Health.