Examining identity development among gay men of color

Within the past few decades, there has been an explosion of articles examining gay identity. Yet, much of this work continues to center on the experiences of gay White men or fail to adequately examine the process of identity development, even when identity is central to the discussion. This review outlines 4 theoretical perspectives used to explore gay men of color and identity development. Taken together, these 4 perspectives can offer a rich opportunity to explore the ways that gay men of color come to develop an identity that simultaneously addresses their racial and sexual identities. I argue that examining identity development among gay men of color can help sociology better understand the identity process and provide new insights into examining intersectionality by demonstrating that identities are not only intersectional but also contextual.