The six stages of Cass.27 model Cass identity model

1 6 stages of cass model

1.1 identity confusion
1.2 identity comparison
1.3 identity tolerance
1.4 identity acceptance
1.5 identity pride
1.6 identity synthesis

the 6 stages of cass model
identity confusion

in first stage, identity confusion, person amazed think of gay person. gay? stage begins person s first awareness of gay or lesbian thoughts, feelings, , attractions. people typically feel confused , experience turmoil.

to question i? , answers can acceptance, psychological self-denial , repression, or rejection.

possible responses can be: avoid information lesbians , gays; inhibited behavior; self-denial of homosexuality ( experimenting , accident , drunk , looking ). men keep emotional involvement separated sexual contact; women have deep, emotional non-sexual relationships.

the possible needs can be: person may explore internal positive , negative judgments. allowed uncertain regarding sexual identity. may find support in knowing sexual behavior occurs along spectrum. may receive permission , encouragement explore sexual identity normal experience (like career identity , social identity).

identity comparison

the second stage called identity comparison. in stage, person accepts possibility of being gay or lesbian , examines wider implications of tentative commitment. maybe apply me. self-alienation becomes isolation. task deal social alienation.

possible responses can be: person may begin grieve losses , things give embracing sexual orientation (marriage, children). may compartmentalize own sexuality—accept lesbian/gay definition of behavior maintain heterosexual identity. tells oneself, s temporary ; m in love particular woman/man ; etc.

the possible needs can be: important person develops own definitions. need information sexual identity, lesbian, gay community resources, encouragement talk loss of heterosexual life expectations. may permitted keep heterosexual identity (as not or none issue).

identity tolerance

in third stage, identity tolerance, person comes understanding not 1 .

the person acknowledges gay or lesbian , seeks out other gay , lesbian people combat feelings of isolation. increased commitment being lesbian or gay. task decrease social alienation seeking out lesbians , gays.

possible responses can be: beginning have language talk , think issue. recognition being lesbian or gay not preclude other options. accentuate difference between self , heterosexuals. seek out lesbian , gay culture (positive contact leads more positive sense of self, negative contact leads devaluation of culture, stops growth). person may try out variety of stereotypical roles.

the possible needs can be: supported in exploring own shame feelings derived heterosexism, internalized homophobia. receive support in finding positive lesbian, gay community connections. particularly important person know community resources.

identity acceptance

the identity acceptance stage means person accepts themselves. okay. person attaches positive connotation gay or lesbian identity , accepts rather tolerates it. there continuing , increased contact gay , lesbian culture. task deal inner tension of no longer subscribing society s norm, attempt bring congruence between private , public view of self.

possible responses can be: accepts gay or lesbian self-identification. may compartmentalize gay life . maintain less , less contact heterosexual community. attempt fit in , not make waves within gay , lesbian community. begin selective disclosures of sexual identity. more social coming out; more comfortable being seen groups of men or women identified gay . more realistic evaluation of situation.

the possible needs can be: continue exploring grief , loss of heterosexual life expectation, continue exploring internalized homophobia (learned shame heterosexist society). find support in making decisions where, when, , whom disclose.

identity pride

in identity pride stage, while coming out of closet arrives, , main thinking ve got let people know am! person divides world heterosexuals , homosexuals, , immersed in gay , lesbian culture while minimizing contact heterosexuals. us-them quality political/social viewpoint. task deal incongruent views of heterosexuals.

possible responses include: splits world gay (good) , straight (bad)—experiences disclosure crises heterosexuals less willing blend in —identify gay culture sole source of support, acquiring gay friends, business connections, social connections.

the possible needs can be: receive support exploring anger issues, find support exploring issues of heterosexism, develop skills coping reactions , responses disclosure sexual identity, , resist being defensive.

identity synthesis

the last stage in cass model identity synthesis: person integrates sexual identity other aspects of self, , sexual orientation becomes 1 aspect of self rather entire identity.

the task integrate gay , lesbian identity instead of being identity, aspect of self.

possible responses can be: continues angry @ heterosexism, decreased intensity, or allows trust of others increase , build. gay , lesbian identity integrated aspects of self . person feels right move out community , not define space according sexual orientation.