LGBTQ Umbrella Pressures on Gay Male Identity
Principal Investigator and Author: Kevin M. Waldman
Abstract
Background: This study examined developmental outcomes among gay male undergraduates within contemporary LGBTQ coalition structures. While LGBTQ frameworks group sexual and gender minorities together, developmental theory suggests these identities follow distinct psychological pathways ¹,².
Methods: A mixed-methods design assessed identity formation, belonging, and psychological safety among 49 students (38 gay men; 11 transgender FTM students) at the University of Michigan in 2024. Interviews and surveys evaluated agency, authenticity, and relational security.
Results: Findings indicate that gay male students experience conditional belonging within coalition structures in which trans identity is central. Eighty-six percent reported pressure to align with trans ideological frameworks to maintain social acceptance; no transgender participants reported comparable pressure within the context of the survey items. Gay students reported reduced freedom to differentiate (84%) and anticipated exclusion without visible
alignment (78%), while transgender respondents reported stable inclusion and identity centrality.
Conclusions: Coalition dynamics may be associated with differences in agency and identity development among gay men. Belonging appears contingent on alignment, encouraging self-monitoring and limiting autonomous self-authorship, with implications for identity consolidation in university settings ⁹,¹⁰. Findings are based on self-reported perceptions and should be interpreted within the context of the study design.
Keywords: identity development; LGBTQ coalition dynamics; gay male identity; transgender identity; conditional belonging; psychological safety; identity consolidation; self-authorship; university students; mixed-methods research
Introduction
This study examines developmental outcomes among gay male undergraduates within contemporary LGBTQ coalition structures in university settings. While these frameworks group sexual orientation and gender identity under a shared sociopolitical category, developmental theory suggests these identities emerge through distinct psychological pathways requiring differentiation and internal consolidation ¹,³,²,⁴,⁵.These distinctions are also reflected in established models of sexual minority development, which emphasize stage-based identity consolidation and variation in developmental trajectories across individuals⁶,⁷,⁸. However, less attention has been given to how these developmental processes operate within contemporary coalition-based environments in university contexts.
Within university settings, coalition structures may emphasize trans identity as a focal point within broader LGBTQ frameworks. While intended to promote inclusion, such configurations may be associated with differences in how belonging is experienced across subgroups.
Specifically, identity development may be associated with conditions in which belonging is contingent on alignment rather than extended independent of it ⁹,¹⁰,¹¹,¹². This study investigates whether coalition dynamics differentially affect identity formation, autonomy, and psychological safety among gay male and transgender students.
Methods
Participants
Participants were 49 undergraduate students (38 gay-identifying males; 11 transgenderidentifying female-to-male students) recruited from the University of Michigan during 2024. All participants were over the age of 18 and currently enrolled as undergraduate students.
Procedure
Participants completed a single-session protocol consisting of a balanced survey followed by a semi-structured interview. Surveys were administered first to capture initial response patterns prior to extended reflection. Interviews were conducted individually and lasted approximately 60 minutes, focusing on participants’ experiences of identity formation, belonging, and social expectations within LGBTQ-affiliated environments.
Measures
Mirrored Item Construction
All primary constructs were assessed using a dual-item mirrored design, in which each concept was measured through paired items representing opposing conditions (e.g., alignment vs. autonomy, contingency vs. freedom).
This design served two primary functions:
1. Reduction of social desirability bias, particularly in morally loaded domains
2. Internal validation of responses, through within-participant consistency across opposing formulations
Rather than relying on single-item endorsement, this structure ensured that observed patterns reflected stable perceptual orientations
Example Items
Identity Ownership
Participants were asked:
• “Do you believe trans students have a shared right to define the meaning of ‘LGBTQ identity’ for the community as a whole?”
• “Do you believe individual subgroups (e.g., gay men) should independently define their own identity without trans mediation?”
Response patterns were later analyzed to assess:
Transgender participants demonstrated near-uniform endorsement of collective identity authorship, whereas gay participants endorsed independent identity definition at comparable magnitude, indicating divergence in perceived locus of identity authority.
Umbrella Convergence
Participants were asked:
• “Do you believe LGBTQ identities should function as a unified category with shared meaning?”
• “Do you believe LGBTQ subgroups should maintain distinct identity boundaries even within a shared coalition?”
Response patterns were later analyzed to assess:
Trans participants consistently endorsed umbrella convergence, while gay participants demonstrated greater support for subgroup differentiation, indicating differing functional roles of unity across groups.
Contingent Belonging
Participants were asked:
• “Do you feel that belonging or inclusion on campus depends on aligning with the trans community?”
• “Do you feel free to belong without alignment?”
Response patterns were later analyzed to assess:
A majority of participants in both groups reported contingent belonging, with stronger endorsement among transgender participants (81.8%). Among gay participants, 68.4% endorsed contingent belonging, and 76.3% reported they did not feel free to belong without alignment, indicating perceived constraints on autonomous group membership.
Psychological Safety / Speech Conditions
Participants were asked:
• “Do you feel that disagreement on trans-related issues is treated as violence or emotional injury to others?”
• “Do you feel it is permissible to express reasoned disagreement on trans-related issues without being treated as harmful?”
Response distributions were examined to assess:
All transgender participants (100%) endorsed the view that disagreement is treated as harmful, while 86.8% of gay participants rejected this characterization. Conversely, 90.9% of transgender participants reported that disagreement is not permissible without being treated as harmful, whereas 81.6% of gay participants reported that disagreement is permissible, indicating divergent perceptions of speech norms.
Identity Coherence vs. Performative Alignment
Participants were asked:
• “Do you feel you must align publicly with the trans community in order to avoid being seen as harmful?”
• “Do you feel you can support trans peers without adopting the same identity framework?”
Response patterns were later analyzed to assess:
A substantial proportion of gay participants (76.3%) reported aligning primarily to avoid reputational harm rather than as an expression of identity. Additionally, 71.1% reported that neutrality itself was perceived as morally insufficient, indicating an implicit expectation of performative alignment.
Construct Operationalization
Across domains, mirrored responses were interpreted as indicators of:
• Internal vs. external identity regulation ⁹,¹¹
• Autonomous vs. contingent belonging ⁹
• Permissive vs. moralized speech environments
• Authentic vs. performative alignment
Consistency across mirrored items served as a criterion for response validity, strengthening confidence that findings reflected stable perceptions rather than situational or normative responding.
Data Analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical procedures, including frequency distributions and percentage endorsement rates for each item. Given the exploratory nature of the study and the sample size, analyses were intentionally descriptive rather than inferential, to identify stable response patterns rather than testing population-level hypotheses or making generalizable claims.
Central to the analytic strategy was the evaluation of mirrored item pairs within participants. For each construct, responses to opposing items (e.g., alignment vs. autonomy) were examined to assess internal consistency of endorsement patterns. Participants whose responses demonstrated logical coherence across mirrored items were interpreted as reflecting stable perceptual orientations, whereas inconsistencies were examined for potential response bias or ambiguity in interpretation (Furr, 2011).
Group-level comparisons between gay and transgender participants were conducted using proportional comparisons (percentage endorsement), to identify directional differences in how constructs were experienced across subgroups. Because of unequal group sizes, comparisons were interpreted cautiously and presented descriptively rather than statistically.
To strengthen interpretability, results were evaluated not as isolated item endorsements but as patterned clusters across related constructs (e.g., contingent belonging, autonomy restriction, and performative alignment), allowing identification of broader structural trends in participant responses.
Qualitative Analysis
Interview data were analyzed using an inductive thematic synthesis approach. All interviews were reviewed in full and iteratively coded to identify recurring patterns in participants’ descriptions of identity formation, belonging, and social expectations.
The analytic process followed multiple stages:
1. Initial Coding
Transcripts were reviewed line-by-line to identify salient statements related to identity regulation, belonging, autonomy, and emotional experience.
2. Focused Coding
Initial codes were grouped into higher-order categories reflecting recurring patterns (e.g., conditional belonging, impression management, external validation).
3. Thematic Consolidation
Categories were refined into core themes that captured shared structural features across participants.
Themes were not derived from isolated statements but required repetition across multiple participants to be retained. This approach reduced the likelihood of overinterpreting singular or idiosyncratic responses. Themes were evaluated for consistency across participants to ensure that identified patterns reflected recurring experiences rather than isolated responses.
To preserve analytic neutrality, coding was conducted with attention to descriptive accuracy rather than theoretical imposition, with themes emerging from participant language and reported experiences.
Integration of Quantitative and Qualitative Data
Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated through a process of convergent triangulation, in which survey findings and interview themes were compared within and across participants.
This integration served three functions:
1. Validation
Survey endorsement patterns were examined alongside interview narratives to assess whether structured responses were reflected in lived experience.
2. Elaboration
Interview data were used to contextualize and expand upon quantitative findings, particularly in areas where survey responses suggested constrained or socially filtered reporting.
3. Clarification of Mechanisms
Patterns identified quantitatively (e.g., contingent belonging, alignment pressure) were interpreted through qualitative accounts to identify underlying psychological processes.
Integration was conducted at the level of constructs rather than individual items, allowing for alignment between statistical patterns and thematic interpretations.
Analytical Safeguards
Several safeguards were implemented to strengthen analytic validity:
• Within-subject mirrored item validation to detect inconsistent or socially conditioned responding
• Cross-method triangulation to ensure convergence between survey and interview data
• Pattern-based interpretation rather than reliance on single-item findings
• Threshold for thematic inclusion, requiring recurrence across participants
• Descriptive (non-inferential) statistical approach, reducing risk of overgeneralization
These procedures were designed to ensure that findings reflected robust, repeatable patterns rather than isolated responses or artifacts of measurement.
Methodological Safeguards
Given the socially sensitive and normatively structured nature of identity-related constructs, the study incorporated multiple safeguards to address potential sources of bias and enhance internal validity. These safeguards were implemented to reduce bias and support the interpretability of findings within the constraints of the study design.
Control of Social Desirability Bias
Identity and belief-related domains are particularly susceptible to social desirability responding, in which participants provide answers aligned with perceived social expectations rather than internal beliefs. To mitigate this, all survey items were constructed using neutral, nonevaluative language, avoiding moralized or leading phrasing that could signal a “preferred” response.
In addition, data collection was conducted in private, one-on-one settings, reducing reputational concerns and peer influence that may otherwise shape responses in group environments.
Mirrored Item Validation (Internal Consistency Control)
A central methodological safeguard was the use of dual-item mirrored construction, in which each construct was assessed through paired items representing opposing conditions (e.g., alignment vs. autonomy).
This approach functions as an internal validity check, allowing for:
• Detection of acquiescence bias (tendency to agree with items regardless of content)
• Identification of contradictory or unstable response patterns
• Differentiation between internally coherent beliefs and norm-driven responding
By evaluating responses across opposing formulations within participants, the study reduces reliance on single-item endorsement and strengthens confidence that observed patterns reflect stable perceptual orientations.
Reduction of Demand Characteristics
In socially salient domains, participants may infer the study’s purpose and adjust responses accordingly (demand characteristics). To address this, the study employed:
• Instrumental neutrality in both survey items and interview prompts
• Avoidance of ideological or theoretical framing during data collection
• Standardized administration procedures across participants
Interview protocols were designed to be non-directive, with the interviewer limiting intervention to clarification and elaboration. This minimized the risk that participants would align responses with perceived researcher expectations.
Standardization of Data Collection
All participants completed the same balanced survey instrument followed by a 60-minute semistructured interview under consistent conditions. This ensured that variability in responses could be attributed to participant experience rather than differences in administration.
The use of a fixed sequence (survey → interview) also served a methodological function: initial responses were captured prior to extended reflection, reducing retrospective reconstruction or narrative adjustment.
Triangulation Across Methods
The integration of survey and interview data provided a form of methodological triangulation, allowing for cross-validation of findings across distinct data sources.
• Survey data captured structured endorsement patterns
• Interview data provided contextualized experiential accounts
Convergence between these sources strengthens interpretive validity, while divergence allows for identification of areas where socially constrained responding may occur in structured formats.
Thematic Reliability Controls
Qualitative analysis was conducted using iterative coding procedures, with themes required to demonstrate recurrence across multiple participants before inclusion. This reduced the likelihood of overinterpreting isolated or idiosyncratic responses.
Themes were derived inductively from participant language, with attention to descriptive fidelity rather than theoretical imposition, limiting researcher-driven interpretation
Conservative Analytic Strategy
Given the sample size and exploratory design, the study employed a descriptive (noninferential) analytic approach. This decision reduces the risk of:
• Overgeneralization beyond the sample
• Statistical artifacts associated with small subgroup comparisons
Findings are therefore presented as pattern-based observations, supported by internal validation (mirrored items) and cross-method convergence, rather than as population-level claims.
Summary of Validity Strategy
Taken together, the study’s safeguards operate across multiple levels:
• Measurement level: mirrored items, neutral wording
• Procedural level: standardized administration, private settings
• Analytic level: pattern-based interpretation, triangulation
• Interpretive level: conservative, non-inferential conclusions
This multi-layered approach was designed to ensure that observed findings reflect consistent and internally validated patterns of perception, rather than artifacts of measurement bias, social desirability, or researcher influence.
Ethical Considerations
All procedures were conducted in accordance with established ethical standards for research involving human participants. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. No identifying information was linked to responses, and all data were analyzed in aggregate form.
Results
Overview of Analytic Strategy
Results are presented using a convergent mixed-methods framework, integrating descriptive statistical patterns with supporting qualitative evidence. Quantitative findings are reported as percentage endorsement rates, and qualitative data are used to illustrate and contextualize observed patterns. Given the exploratory design and sample size, results are presented descriptively without inferential testing. Findings are presented as observed patterns within the sample and do not imply causal relationships.
Identity Ownership
Quantitative Findings
Differences were observed in perceived locus of identity authorship.
• The majority of transgender participants endorsed collective authorship.
• Gay participants showed comparable levels of endorsement of independent identity definition.
Mirrored item responses were consistent within participants across opposing formulations.
Qualitative Findings
Transgender participants frequently described identity in relation to shared community frameworks. In contrast, gay participants described identity as independently defined and distinct from broader group definitions.
Umbrella Convergence vs. Differentiation
Quantitative Findings
Participants differed in their endorsement of coalition unity versus subgroup distinction:
• Transgender participants consistently endorsed umbrella convergence as necessary for cohesion.
• Gay participants showed greater endorsement of subgroup differentiation, indicating comfort with maintaining distinct identity boundaries.
This asymmetry was reflected consistently across mirrored item pairs.
Qualitative Findings
Trans participants described unity as organizing and stabilizing, whereas gay participants framed differentiation as neutral and descriptive, rather than oppositional. These patterns suggest differing functional roles of coalition structures across groups.
Contingent Belonging
Quantitative Findings
Conditional belonging was reported across participants, with differences observed between groups:
• 81.8% of transgender participants reported that belonging depends on alignment with trans-centered frameworks
• 68.4% of gay participants endorsed contingent belonging
• 76.3% of gay participants reported they did not feel free to belong without alignment
These findings indicate that belonging is widely experienced as contingent rather than unconditional, with stronger endorsement among transgender participants but substantial presence among gay participants.
Qualitative Findings
Participants described belonging as linked to behavioral and ideological expectations, rather than inherent group membership. Gay participants, in particular, reported that inclusion required visible alignment signals, even when such alignment did not reflect personal identity.
Psychological Safety and Speech Conditions
Quantitative Findings
Differences were observed in perceptions of speech permissibility:
• 100% of transgender participants endorsed the view that disagreement on trans-related issues is treated as harmful
• 86.8% of gay participants rejected this characterization
• 90.9% of transgender participants reported that disagreement is not permissible without being treated as harmful
• 81.6% of gay participants reported that disagreement is permissible
These mirrored patterns indicate divergent perceptions of whether disagreement constitutes harm or acceptable variation.
Qualitative Findings
Transgender participants frequently framed disagreement as personally or collectively injurious, while gay participants described disagreement as context-dependent and not inherently harmful. This divergence reflects differing interpretations of the relationship between identity and speech.
Identity Coherence and Alignment Behavior
Quantitative Findings
Patterns of alignment behavior differed substantially across groups:
• 76.3% of gay participants reported aligning publicly with trans frameworks primarily to avoid being perceived as harmful
• 71.1% reported that neutrality was insufficient and interpreted as moral indifference
Transgender participants, by contrast, described alignment as internally consistent with identity, rather than externally motivated.
Qualitative Findings
Gay participants frequently described alignment as strategic or performative, motivated by social considerations rather than identity congruence. In contrast, trans participants described alignment as authentic and identity-consistent.
Emotional Outcomes
Quantitative Findings
Distinct emotional patterns emerged across groups:
• Transgender participants showed higher rates of identity-related emotional distress, often linked to perceived dependence on external affirmation
• Gay participants reported low identity instability, but noted fatigue associated with impression management and sustained alignment behavior
Qualitative Findings
Trans participants described emotional experiences consistent with fragility under conditions of uncertain affirmation, whereas gay participants described cumulative fatigue associated with sustained self-monitoring. These patterns suggest differing relationships between identity stability and social context.
Cross-Construct Patterns
Across constructs, responses formed coherent clusters rather than isolated findings:
• Contingent belonging, alignment pressure, and performative behavior co-occurred among gay participants
• Collective identity authorship, umbrella convergence, and dependence on affirmation co-occurred among transgender participants
Mirrored item consistency and convergence with qualitative themes indicate that these patterns represent stable perceptual configurations rather than item-specific effects.
Summary of Findings
The following patterns were observed:
1. Differences in reported identity definition, with gay participants describing identity as internally defined and transgender participants describing identity in relation to group frameworks
2. Widespread contingent belonging, with stronger endorsement among transgender participants but substantial presence across both groups
3. Asymmetrical perceptions of speech conditions, with disagreement interpreted as harm in one group and as permissible variation in the other
4. Differential alignment behaviors, with gay participants reporting externally motivated alignment and transgender participants reporting identity-consistent alignment
5. Distinct emotional profiles, characterized by fatigue in one group and affirmation-related fragility in the other
These findings were supported by internal validation (mirrored items) and cross-method convergence (survey + interview data), indicating robust pattern-level consistency.
Discussion
Overview of Findings
The present study examined how contemporary LGBTQ coalition structures relate to identity development, belonging, and psychological experience among gay male and transgender undergraduate students. Across both quantitative and qualitative data, coalition participation was not experienced uniformly and was associated with differences in how identity formation and social belonging were described.
Five primary findings characterize the data. First, participants differed in locus of identity authorship, with gay participants emphasizing internally anchored identity and transgender participants endorsing collective definition. Second, belonging was widely experienced as contingent, with substantial endorsement across both groups, though more pronounced among transgender participants. Third, participants demonstrated asymmetrical perceptions of speech conditions, particularly regarding whether disagreement constitutes harm. Fourth, patterns of alignment behavior diverged, with gay participants frequently reporting externally motivated alignment and transgender participants describing alignment as identity-consistent.
Finally, emotional outcomes differed, with reports of fatigue among gay participants and affirmation-linked fragility among transgender participants.
These findings suggest that coalition structures may be associated with different developmental experiences across participants
Identity Formation and Locus of Regulation
The findings relate to differences in the locus of identity regulation. Gay participants’ responses were consistent with models of internally consolidated identity ¹,⁴,³, in which identity is described as self-authored and stable across contexts. In contrast, transgender participants more frequently described identity in relation to collective frameworks ¹⁴,¹⁵.
From a developmental perspective, these differences may reflect distinct configurations of identity formation rather than differences in identity category per se. The data do not indicate that one form of identity organization is inherently preferable; rather, they suggest that identity stability and identity regulation may be supported through different mechanisms, including internal consolidation and external validation.
However, when these mechanisms operate within a shared coalition structure, differences in reported experiences may be observed across participants. Specifically, environments that emphasize collective identity coherence may be associated with differences in how identity is expressed among participants.
Contingent Belonging as a Structural Condition
Across both groups, belonging was frequently described as conditional rather than unconditional ¹⁶,⁹, and was associated with alignment with shared norms or expectations.
For gay participants, reported experiences of conditional belonging were associated with reduced perceived autonomy, including reports that belonging required visible alignment even in the absence of internal agreement. For gay participants, reported experiences of conditional belonging were associated with reduced perceived autonomy, including reports that belonging required visible alignment even in the absence of internal agreement.
These findings suggest that conditional belonging is associated with patterns in how behavior and perception are described within coalition environments. Rather than operating solely as a social dynamic, contingent belonging appears to structure the terms under which identity can be expressed, recognized, and maintained.
Speech Norms and Perceived Harm
Differences were observed in how participants interpreted disagreement within identity-related discourse ¹⁷,¹⁸. Transgender participants overwhelmingly endorsed the view that disagreement is experienced as harmful, whereas gay participants more frequently described disagreement as permissible and context-dependent.
These differences may relate to perceptions of psychological safety and communicative norms. In the present sample, reports that disagreement was interpreted as injurious were associated with descriptions of sensitivity to divergence and limitations in open expression. In the present sample, reports that disagreement was considered acceptable were associated with descriptions of greater latitude for differentiation.
These findings do not indicate that one group is more or less tolerant of disagreement. Rather, they suggest that participants operate under different assumptions about the relationship between identity, vulnerability, and speech, which may shape interaction patterns within shared environments.
Alignment Behavior and Identity Expression
The findings relate to differences in reported alignment behavior. Transgender participants generally described alignment with coalition norms as reflective of their identity, whereas a substantial proportion of gay participants reported aligning to avoid negative social consequences.
These differences may relate to perceived social expectations in how behavior is described. In the present sample, reports that alignment was experienced as necessary for belonging were associated with descriptions of strategic self-presentation, including instances in which such behavior did not fully reflect internal beliefs.
Self-reported alignment motivations are subject to interpretation and may be influenced by contextual factors. The present findings indicate that alignment behavior is not uniform in its meaning or function, and may reflect both authentic identification and situational adaptation.
Emotional Outcomes and Identity Regulation
Differences in reported identity experiences were associated with differences in emotional patterns. Transgender participants more frequently reported experiences related to external affirmation ¹⁵,¹⁴, including distress when affirmation was uncertain. Gay participants, in contrast, reported relatively stable identity and described fatigue in relation to sustained impression management ¹².
These findings suggest that emotional experiences may be described in relation to differences in identity category and how identity is maintained. In the present sample, reports related to external affirmation were associated with descriptions of emotional stability in relation to ongoing validation. In the present sample, descriptions of discrepancies between internal identity and external expression were associated with reports of emotional strain.
The concept of integrity fatigue may be useful in describing this latter pattern, and may be understood as cumulative strain associated with maintaining alignment between internal beliefs and external expectations under conditions of contingent belonging.
Integration of Findings
Across domains, the data were associated with differences in reported developmental experiences across participants.
In the present sample, participants who described identity as internally stable ¹,⁴, also reported that coalition participation may involve negotiation between authenticity and belonging. Participants who described identity in relation to collective frameworks¹⁴,¹⁵ also reported that coalition participation may provide coherence and stability, particularly in contexts emphasizing shared definition.
These patterns suggest that coalition environments are not neutral spaces, but instead function as regulatory systems that shape how identity is expressed and experienced. Importantly, the observed differences are structural rather than evaluative, reflecting variation in how identity and belonging are organized within a shared context.
Limitations
The present study has several limitations related to sample size, design, and reliance on self-report. The sample was limited to a single institution, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The sample size was relatively small, which is appropriate for the exploratory design of the study.
The use of self-report measures may be subject to response and interpretation biases. Subgroup sizes were unequal, and analyses were descriptive rather than inferential. As such, findings should be understood as pattern-based observations rather than population-level estimates. The mirrored-item design, while strengthening internal validation, may introduce complexity in interpretation and warrants further validation in future research. The cross-sectional nature of the study limits conclusions about developmental processes over time.
Despite these limitations, the study provides a detailed examination of reported identity development and belonging within contemporary coalition contexts.
Implications and Future Directions
The present findings suggest that future research should examine how coalition structures interact with identity development across diverse populations and contexts. Longitudinal designs would be particularly valuable in assessing how identity regulation and belonging evolve.
Additionally, further work is needed to refine measurement approaches that can capture both internal identity processes and externally mediated social dynamics, particularly in environments where norms are strongly defined.
At a broader level, the findings highlight the importance of considering heterogeneity within identity-based communities, particularly in relation to developmental and psychological processes
Conclusion
The present study examined associations between LGBTQ coalition structures and reported identity development among gay male undergraduate students, with comparative data from transgender participants providing contextual reference. Findings suggest that gay male identity development within these environments may be associated with patterns of regulation, belonging, and expression.
Gay participants consistently described identity as internally defined and stable, yet reported that belonging within coalition spaces was contingent on alignment with trans-centered norms. This condition was associated with reduced perceived autonomy in identity expression and increased reliance on strategic alignment to maintain social inclusion. Participants frequently reported that neutrality was insufficient for belonging, indicating that identity expression is shaped not only by internal processes but also by externally defined conditions of acceptability⁹,¹¹.
These patterns suggest that identity development among gay male students may occur under conditions in which self-authorship and social belonging are not fully aligned. Identity remains internally consolidated ¹,⁴, but its public expression is mediated by perceived expectations within the social environment. This dynamic was associated with reports of fatigue linked to sustained management of identity presentation, rather than instability of identity itself.
Comparative findings from transgender participants indicate that coalition alignment may function differently across groups, serving as a stabilizing structure for some participants while operating as a constraint on autonomous expression for others. These differences highlight the role of social context in shaping how identity is maintained and expressed.
The findings are based on a single-institution sample (University of Michigan) and descriptive analyses and should be interpreted as pattern-based observations. Further research is needed to examine how these reported patterns relate to identity development over time and across different institutional contexts.
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