International Journal of Gender & Women's Studies

Playing it straight: A Phenomenological Study of Filipino Homosexual Adolescents who are “Closeted” at Home but are “Out” at School
Joselito R. Ereño

Abstract
Though humans are born with a specific sex, their gender preference does not always coincide with the expected gender role dictated upon by the society. This has always been the case for adolescent homosexuals, who apart from their personal struggle to accept their true gender identity, must also face the arduous task of making their peers, families, and friends understand them for who they are. For this reason, some have decided to “come out” at school but remain “closeted” at home. Thus, this research is an exploratory attempt meant to psychologically explain the lived experiences of Filipino adolescent homosexuals who chose to selectivity disclose their gender identity. Results were directed towards explaining the reasons, struggles and difficulties of the participants. Psychological implications toward family-child dynamics, identity formation, and coping were also discussed

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