SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY GAY AND LESBIAN YOUTHS

Youths with a homosexual orientation face different developmental chal lenges during adolescence than those faced by heterosexual youths or i ndividuals who recognize their homosexual orientation later in life. W e discuss the impact of''coming out,'' or defining a homosexual orient ation, on the development and identity formation of youths who come ou t during adolescence. The process of coming out is presented as entail ing four broad dimensions: recognizing oneself as lesbian or gay; expl oring one's sexual orientation through the gay and lesbian community; disclosing one's sexual orientation to others; and becoming more comfo rtable with one's sexual orientation. Some of the major challenges fac ed by these youths are described, and future directions for research e fforts are discussed.