Page 219 - Discrimination at Work The Psychological and Organizational Bases

188
discrimination, the disclosure of sexual identity, and practical issues re­
lating to obtaining a representative sample of gay and lesbian respon­
dents. RAG INS AND WIETHOFF
Operationalizing Sexual Orientation
One key methodological issue is the operationalization of sexual orienta­
tion; findings may well vary as a function of the way it is operationalized
(Black, Gates, Sanders, & Taylor, 2000; Herek, Kimmel, Amaro & Melton,
1991). The two primary methods are behavioral reports and self-labeling.
There are limitations to each of these methods (Martin & Knox, 2000). Be­
havioral reports exclude individuals who self-identify as gay but have not
acted on their feelings because of choice or opportunity. They also may
eliminate those in early stages of sexual identity development (Troiden,
1989) and those who are celibate. Behavioral reports may also misclassify
people who have same-sex relations but maintain a heterosexual identity,
such as those who engage in same-sex behaviors while in married hetero­
sexual relationships.
Self-labeling eliminates some of these problems, but also brings a unique
set of limitations. Gay men and lesbians may choose not to label them­
selves as such for a number of reasons. To start, they may be hesitant to
openly assume an identity that can make them targets of discrimination
(Herek, 1991). Respondents may view themselves as gay or lesbian, but
checking the "gay" option on a survey or sharing this information in an
interview may be a self-defining act that elicits discomfort or anxiety. In
addition, sexual identity is often experienced as a fluid and changing state
that varies by time, place, and person (e.g., Horowitz & Newcomb, 2001);
a cross-sectional approach to self-identification is limited in this regard.
In short, although many respondents may have little difficulty checking
survey boxes that indicate their race or gender, sexual identity is quite a
different matter.
Another limitation of the self-labeling approach is that sexual identity
may vary by age and geographic location (Martin & Knox, 2000). Older
gay men and lesbians, and those living in areas with highly visible gay
populations, may be more likely to self-identify than are young people
who have just come to terms with their sexual identity or those living
in locations with a less visible gay community. Self-labeling may also be
affected by the gender of the respondent (Martin & Knox, 2000). Garnets
and Kimmel (1993) observed that lesbians were often more delayed in
their sexual identity development than were gay men, and thus were more
likely to deny same-sex attraction and enter heterosexual relationships
because of social pressures. Because of the limitations involved with both