"In the Present I'm Gay. Obviously, I'm Gay": Exploring Sexual Orientation Development with the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid in Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Adults in Southern Chile.

Most non-heterosexual individuals begin their sexual orientation development under compulsory heterosexuality, eventually exploring attractions, behaviors and identities beyond these expectations. The Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG) examines sexual orientation as a multidimensional construct that can change over time. This study examined the experiences of gay, lesbian and bisexual (LGB) Chilean adults across seven KSOG dimensions and three timepoints. The sample comprised 12 LGB participants, cisgender or non-binary, from Southern Chile, who responded to the KSOG and an accompanying interview analyzed with a mixed-methods approach. Findings showed a continuum of experiences that mostly started under compulsory heterosexuality, while participants' present experiences resembled their ideal. Bisexual participants reported distinct experiences from gay and lesbian counterparts, but all recognized changes in their sexual orientation over time. We also analyzed the KSOG's advantages and disadvantages for sexual orientation research in Latin American contexts. Despite important limitations, it can encourage nuanced discussions about sexuality in contexts that offer individuals little opportunity to reflect on their sexual orientation.