![Sample our Area Studies journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5922/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Area-Studies.jpg"})
Abstract
This study takes a constructivist grounded theory approach to exploring the trajectory of coming out for 30 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals. Despite being attracted only to members of the same sex, 10 of the 30 participants in this study came out initially as bisexual. This interaction, referred to herein as the queer apologetic, is a form of identity compromise whereby individuals disclose a bisexual identity that they believe satisfies (1) their personal attractions for only members of the same sex and (2) society's expectation that they be attracted to members of the other sex.
Notes
1. Although this study was designed around the use of LGBQ labels, study participants identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, polysexual, and fluid, whereas others chose to abstain from attaching any such label to their sexuality. Essentially, I am interested in anyone who engages in a process of coming out related to their sexual orientation, so the participants need not self-identify as LGBQ.