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ViewAttendees 6

Symposia

LGBTQ+

Understanding and contextualizing LGBTQ+ Identity: Implications for Research and Clinical Practice

3 - (SYM 46) Reasons for Changes in Sexual and Gender Identity over Time: A Qualitative Study of Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Assigned Female at Birth

Saturday, November 22, 2025
12:09 PM - 12:26 PM CST
Location: Celestin D&E, Level 3
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Community-Based, Mental Health Disparities
Recommended Readings: Diamond, L. M. (2016). Sexual fluidity in male and females. Current Sexual Health Reports, 8(4), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-016-0092-z,   Flynn, S. S., Touhey, S., Sullivan, T. R., & Mereish, E. H. (2024). Queer and transgender joy: A daily diary qualitative study of positive identity factors among sexual and gender minority adolescents. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000733,   Hinton, J. D. X., de la Piedad Garcia, X., Kaufmann, L. M., Koc, Y., & Anderson, J. R. (2022). A systematic and meta-analytic review of identity centrality among LGBTQ groups: An assessment of psychosocial correlates. Journal of Sex Research, 59(5), 568–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1967849,   Savin-Williams, R. C. (2001). A critique of research on sexual-minority youths. Journal of Adolescence, 24(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.2000.0369,  
Abstract Body

Sexual and gender identity continue to evolve over time for many sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals (Diamond, 2016; Katz-Wise et al., 2023). Although changes in sexual and gender identity are often associated with adverse health outcomes (e.g., depression; Everett et al., 2016), this may depend on motivations underlying why someone changes how they identify (e.g., new self-understanding vs. external pressure). However, little is known about the range of motivations for changes in sexual and gender identity among SGM individuals.

To address this, we used two waves of data (spaced six-months apart) from a longitudinal study of SGM individuals assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB). Participants who reported changes in sexual identity (n = 73) and/or gender identity (n = 47) between the two waves were asked to describe their reasons, and written responses were thematically analyzed.

We identified seven reasons for sexual identity changes such as shifting desires, wanting to use labels perceived as more inclusive, and new romantic/sexual experiences. We also identified seven reasons for gender identity changes such as understanding oneself better, certain labels simply feeling better, and the belief that gender is fluid or undefinable. Three of the identified reasons applied to changes in both sexual and gender identity: still trying to figure out what fits, using multiple labels interchangeably, and responses to stigma.

The present study highlights the range of motivations for changes in sexual and gender identity among SGM-AFAB individuals. The findings have the potential to inform a better understanding of when and why changes in sexual and gender identity are associated with worse mental health outcomes and to inform efforts to support SGM individuals through identity changes. Future research should examine whether different motivations for changes in sexual and gender identity are associated with different psychosocial outcomes.