Time Period and Lesbian Identity Events: A Comparison of Norwegian Lesbians Across 1986 and 2005

Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to investigate the assumption that the lives of lesbians are easier today. When exploring the hypothesis that identity events (e.g., coming out to parents) among lesbian women have changed over time and happen earlier in life today, we expected to find several time period effects. Two national samples obtained through mailed questionnaires were compared, 1986 (n = 123) and 2005 (n = 236), age range 20–49. Time period effects were found, including informants reporting identifying as lesbian earlier in life. Time period effects, however, were not found regarding relational identity events such as informing others about one's identity status. The findings did not reveal any conclusive evidence that it is easier to establish a lesbian lifestyle today.

Notes

∗The Norwegian concept “homofil” and “bifil” are in common use and are here translated as “homosexual” and “bisexual.”

¹For each cell, ∗ indicates statistical significant differences between time periods (− p > 0.05, ∗p ≤ 0.05, ∗∗p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗p ≤ 0.001).

¹To make the table as readable as possible, we have not included standard deviations.

²For each cell ∗ indicates statistically significant differences between time periods (− p > 0.05, ∗p ≤ 0.05, ∗∗p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗p ≤ 0.001).

³Maximum number in each analysis.

¹For each cell ∗ indicates statistical significant differences between time periods (− p > 0.05, ∗p ≤ 0.05, ∗∗p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗p ≤ 0.001).

²Maximum number in each analysis.

¹To make the table as readable as possible, we have not included standard deviations.

²For each cell ∗ indicates statistically significant differences between time periods (− p > 0.05, ∗p ≤ 0.05, ∗∗p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗p ≤ 0.001).

³Maximum number in each analysis.

¹For each cell ∗ indicates statistical significant differences between time periods (− p > 0.05, ∗p ≤ 0.05, ∗∗p ≤ 0.01, ∗∗∗p ≤ 0.001).

²Maximum number in each analysis.