Stage I. Innocence

Typically until approximately the age of four, prior to any social consciousness, individuals have no assumptions about sexual or gender appropriate behaviors.

Stage II. Ignorance

Misinformation about LGBT people is learned from family members, peers, faith communities, schools, the media, etc. and is accepted without question.

Stage III. Resistance

Individuals become aware of the oppression of LGBT people. Feelings of guilt, shame and anger often accompany this awareness. These feelings may lead some individuals to become overwhelmed and to shut down. Others may feel motivated to actively confront societal oppression.

Stage IV. Redefinition

Individuals become aware of their privilege as heterosexuals. They band together with other people to end anti-LGBT oppression and come to understand how heterosexism is related to other forms of societal oppression, such as sexism.

Stage V. Internalization

Individuals identify as heterosexual allies. This identity becomes an integrated part of the self, co-existing without tension among a variety of other identities.