Author/Authors :
Subhi, N. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Geelan, D. University of Queensland - School of Education, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Australia , Nen, S. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Fauziah, I. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Mohamad, M. S. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Lukman, Z. M. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Alavi, K. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Hoesni, S. M. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia , Rusyda, H. M. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia
Abstract :
Sexual identity development among gay men and lesbians consists an important component of coming out. Coming out is considered a vital component in the sexual identity development among gay men and lesbians. This paper explores the experiences of gay men and lesbians with respect to sexual identity development particularly in issues relating to sexual fluidity. Purposively selected 20 gay men and lesbians were involved in an in-depth semi structured interviews. The results found that 90% of male and 30% of female respondents came out to self in their teens. Male compared to female respondents seemed to portray an earlier age of coming out. Coming out to self and others was regardless of one’s age with the 40s as the latest age found in this study. Half of the respondents agreed that sexual fluidity could happen or indicated that they had heard of or witnessed sexual identity changes in someone. Some implications for better practice by mental health professionals in ensuring gay men and lesbians well being are provided
Keywords :
Sexual identity , sexual fluidity , coming out , well , being , gay men , lesbians
