The Impact of Ethnic and Religious Identity on Sexual Identity Labels

There is evidence that a variety of social pressures present a challenge to the disclosure of a same-sex orientation in people who have same-sex attractions, desires or behaviors. Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) African Africans live within a unique cultural experience that differs from members of the LGB community who have non-African American ethnic backgrounds (Wilson, 2008). And a tradition of strong religious ties in African Americans may complicate sexual identity development and congruence for those with same-sex attractions, desires or behaviors. Assuming a sexual identity label that is incongruent with one¿s attractions, desires or behaviors can lead to increased risks of psychological consequences and sexual health consequences. Therefore, it is important to identify those factors that may play a role in creating incongruence between having same-sex attractions, desires or behaviors and disclosing a lesbian, gay or bisexual identity. This study sought to identify the relationships between the variables of ethnic identity, religious identity and sexual identity labeling in Christian African Americans.