What is it about?
Childhood gender nonconformity refers to expressing interests, behaviors, or ways of presenting oneself that differ from what is typically expected for one's gender during childhood. In this study, we examined whether childhood gender nonconformity was associated with the timing of important sexual identity development milestones, such as becoming aware of same-sex attraction and coming out, among cisgender sexual minority women and men. We also examined these associations separately for women and men and across different age cohorts. We found that sexual minority women and men who showed more gender nonconformity in childhood generally reached sexual identity milestones at younger ages, including becoming aware of same-sex attraction and coming out. Among gay and bisexual men, childhood gender nonconformity was associated with all sexual identity milestones we examined. Among lesbian and bisexual women, it was associated with some, but not all, milestones. In addition, among lesbian and bisexual women, these associations were stronger in older than in younger age cohorts.
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Why is it important?
Our findings show that childhood gender nonconformity is associated with sexual identity development across different age cohorts of sexual minority women and men. They also indicate that historical context should be taken into account when studying sexual identity development.
Perspectives
This study builds on my long-standing interest in childhood gender nonconformity and sexual minority development. I hope it contributes to a better understanding of the diversity of sexual identity development across generations and encourages further research in this area.
Gabriël van Beusekom
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Childhood gender nonconformity and sexual identity development milestones across age cohorts of cisgender sexual minority women and men., Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, July 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000955.
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