User:Erinkathrync/sandbox

Article Evaluation:

Information is relevant but there needs to be more. There can be more information about the research done to reach the conclusion of Fassinger's model. The article is neutral, There is little to no representation of any specific viewpoint. Only one of the four citations have an active link to the research. The link is active and the research is very informative. The citation referring to the information outlining the actual 4 step model does not have an active link attached to the page, which makes the citation less reliable to the reader. On the talk page, two different Wiki-users rated the article as Start-Class, and one listed it as Low importance. If we were to discuss this topic in class, I would imagine we would go into much more detail about Fassinger's model, and would have much more academic research to corroborate the talking points.

What I would add:

Reference: https://safezone.uncc.edu/allies/theories

McCarn-Fassinger created the "Lesbian Identity Development" Model in 1996. There are 4 stages which address identity development from both an individual and a group standpoint. The first stage is called "Awareness." During the Awareness stage, the individual begins to recognize the feeling of being different than others. They wonder if there is something wrong with them, or don't understand why they feel certain ways about women that they feel other people don't. In a group perspective, one begins to realize the presence of gay and lesbian people that they recognize and potentially identify with. The second stage is called "Exploration." During the exploration stage, the individual comes to notice that they have intense feelings toward others of the same gender. From a group standpoint, the individual begins to develop an identity with the LGBTQ lifestyle, and strives to become a bigger part of it, albeit scary and new. The third stage is called "Deepening/Commitment." During this stage, the individual feels more solidified with living their life as a gay person, and begins to think about their sexual and emotional connection to their partner. In a group setting, the individual begins to recognize the isolation and differential treatment LGBTQ people deal with, and idenitify with it. They also realize the consequences that come with the choice of identifying as a gay person. The last stage is "Internalization/Synthesis." During this stage, the individual fully identifies as a gay person, and has fully accepted it as a part of their lifestyle. In terms of a group, the individual has fully identified with their minority group, and relies on their fellow homosexual friends as a support system, but also acknowledges their positive relationships with heterosexual people.