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Counseling Services
Cass Identity Model
There are stage development theories that attempt to describe the development of a lesbian or gay identity. Cass (1979) is the most widely known and used. Her model includes six stages that are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The following stages are broadened to include bisexual and/or transgendered people:
| STAGE |
TASK |
SAMPLE STATEMENTS |
| Identity Confusion |
Begin to question whether one might be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. |
Could I be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered? |
| Identity Comparison |
Alienation from what has been familiar. |
Maybe I am lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered.I'm alone. |
| Identity Tolerance |
Actively seek out other LGBT people and encounter positive support. |
Where are other LGBT people? |
| Identity Acceptance |
Prefer LGBT people over heterosexuals. Selective coming out. |
I am lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered. I can come out to some people. |
| Identity Pride |
Pride in new identity and rejection of attempts to devalue LGBT people. |
I am proud to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered. I don't (and won't) pass for straight. |
| Identity Synthesis |
Acceptance and integration of new identity along with acceptance and rejection of aspects of heterosexual culture. Typically out to most people. |
I am an okay person who happens to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered. |
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Counseling Services
120 Richmond Quad
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14261-0053
Tel: (716) 645-2720
Fax: (716) 645-2175
Director: Sharon Mitchell
E-Mail:
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