Ethnic Related Variations from the Cass Model of Homosexual Identity Formation: The Experiences of Two-Spirit, Lesbian and Gay Native Americans

Abstract

Synthesis of current research with the self-stories of Native American two-spirit, lesbian and gay people suggests differences in social locations that may produce sexual orientation identity development processes absent from the current literature. We employed a modified form of grounded theory analysis to explore the identity experiences of six self-identified two-spirit, lesbian or gay Native Americans recounted during in-depth interviews. The resulting five themes are presented with quotes from participants for clarification and support, along with a discussion of their fit with the Cass Model of Homosexual Identity Development and interpersonal congruency theory. Results suggest two developmental pathways, one following the course of Cass' model and a second path notable for its absence of many of the key experiences specified by Cass.

KEYWORDS:

• two-spirit
• lesbian
• gay
• identity development
• Native American
• Cass model
• identity interconnections

Notes

1. Due to the diversity of Native American tribal cultures, tribal membership is an important part of self-identification. This is reflected by most Native American authored texts' inclusion of the author's tribal affiliation within the respective table of contents and references. In respect for this, we have included authors' tribal affiliations throughout the reference, presented in parentheses immediately following each author's name, whenever the current authors knew this information.

Beauchemin, M., Levy, L., & Vogel, G. (Director/Producer). (1992). Two-spirit people: The berdache tradition in Native American culture [Motion picture]. (Available from Frameline Distribution, 346 Ninth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-3809 USA)