Status Homophily, Sexual Identity, and Lesbian Social Ties

Bibliographic Data

ID3635725
AuthorsLaura S Logan (Kansas State University, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume60
Issue10
Pages1494-1519
Publication date2013-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2013.819244
PMID24059970
OpenAlexW1968986813
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited61

The literature on friendship and social networks finds that individuals form social ties with people who are like them--a much studied concept called homophily. However, few studies have explicitly examined sexual identity as a point of homophily. Scholars from multiple disciplines have long argued that sexuality influences the organization of our social worlds, yet most studies of friendship and social networks under-examine or overlook the influence of sexual identity. This study addresses that gap by looking at status homophily among lesbian social ties to examine the influence of sexual identity, as well as gender, race, class, and family, on their personal networks. Using survey data from 544 U.S. lesbian respondents, the findings make visible some of the factors and forces that shape social ties for lesbians. The results point to the importance of sexuality as an organizing element of social life, and suggest that studies that examine social networks or friendships more often make sexual identity, gender, and intersecting social locations a central focus

Friendship · Homophily · Human sexuality · Identity (music · Interpersonal ties · Lesbian · Political science · Sexual identity · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Social group · Social identity theory · Social media · Social network (sociolinguistics · Sociology · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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