The Cass Model for Homosexual Identity Development

is based on the assumption that identity developed through a process and

that changes happen through the interactions of individuals and their environments.
The first stage is where an individual goes thorough identity confusion. This is
where the first manifestations of homosexual awareness of, thoughts, feelings, and
attractions occur. The second is identity comparison. Identity comparison is when
an individual considers the posibility that they might identify as lesbian, gay, or
bisexual. At this point, the individual must deal with society's conceptualization and
definition of their sexuality. Third, the individual goes through identity
tolerance. This is where they search for another member of the lesbian, gay, or
bisexual community to aid with feelings of isolation. Fourth, is identity
acceptance. During this stage, the individual has a positive view of their homosexual
identification and their contact with the GLB community increases. The fifth stage is
the composed of identity pride. Individuals in the identity pride stage focus of GLB
issues and activities, and sometimes demonstrate anger towards the heterosexual
community. Lastly, is the state of identity synthesis, where individuals come to be
judged by their character and not their sexual orientation. In the stage, individuals
who identify as homosexual have congruence in their public and private identities
(Cass, 1979).