Complexities of Multiple Identities Exploring Complexities of Multiple Identities of Lesbians in a Black College Environment

Experiences of first year female Black students who self-identified themselves as lesbian and attended a historically Black university are examined. A reconceptualized Model of Multiple Dimensions of Identity and the Multidimensional Identity Model were used to establish the framework for this study. Overall the study provided a current identity status for participants which included race, gender, and sexual orientation. Participants were five students who self-identified themselves as lesbian and Black. Each of the five participated individually in a semi-structured interview. Results of data from the interviews revealed coming in, triple consciousness, and sister/outsider as three themes for discussion. Findings revealed how the participants made sense of their identity internally and in relation to external expectations and influences as well as how they negotiated the complexities of their multiple identities in college