Gay fathers

Data collected by depth interviews indicate that gay fathers proceed through an identifiable career which often terminates in the two identities of gay and father being compatible and noncontradictory. Integration of the two identities is achieved through active participation over time in both the gay world and the father role, and through integrative (positive, identity-affirming) sanctions of both identities by the fathers' heterosexual and homosexual intimates. Integration, however, is not inevitable. Its achievement depends upon the extent of the man's disclosure of both identities and the degree of his participation in both the gay world and in fathering.