The Cass Identity Model

Vivienne Cass

This theory examines how people form a homosexual identity.


The theory was Published in the Journal of Sex Research in 1979.

The theory suggests that there are six ,typically sequential, stages of homosexual identity development.

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Theory Overview

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).