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This paper is a systematic review and meta-analysis on sexual orientation identity development milestones among people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another sexual minority identity (LGB+). Common milestones measured in the 30 studies reviewed were becoming aware of queer attractions, questioning one's sexual orientation, self-identifying as LGB+, coming out to others, engaging in sexual activity, and initiating a romantic relationship. Milestones occurred in different sequences, although attraction was almost always first, often followed by self-identification and/or sexual activity; coming out and initiating a romantic relationship often followed these milestones. Meta-analysis results showed that the mean effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals varied by milestone: attraction M age=12.7 (10.1, 15.3), questioning one's orientation M age=13.2 [12.8, 13.6), self-identifying M age=17.8 (11.6, 24.0), sexual activity M age=18.1 (17.6, 18.6), coming out M age=19.6 (17.2, 22.0), and romantic relationship M age=20.9 (13.2, 28.6). Nonetheless, results also showed substantial heterogeneity in the mean effect sizes. Additional meta-analyses showed that milestone timing varied by sex, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and birth cohort. Although patterns were found in LGB+ identity development, there was considerable diversity in milestone trajectories.
Hall et al. (Thu,) studied this question.