Disclosure Patterns Within Social Networks of Gay Men and Lesbians

摘要: Gay men and lesbians must make decisions about disclosure of their sexual orientation. Past research has focused on an individual's overall level or to a specific subset individuals. This study used new measure, the Disclosure Grid, assess patterns 89 gay 55 across entire social network. In addition assessing each network member, Grid also assessed perceived relationship quality prior currently. Finally, perceptions member's initial current acceptance lesbian person's Data provide rich portrait among heterogeneous, urban sample men. Analyses found support for three hypotheses disclosure, quality, acceptance. For example, it was that participants have better relationships with individuals they directly told orientation than people who out in indirect manner.