This is a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study conducted with 2282 male and female students who attended high school in three cities of the western interior of São Paulo, Brazil. Data collection was done by a self-reported questionnaire with 131 questions. This paper discusses the sexual trajectories of these adolescents who enrolled in homoerotic sexual practices or not. These adolescents’ relationships with their families, peer groups and the subject of “coming out” are discussed as political tools. Based on Sedgwick’s concepts we analyze the moments when “coming out” can be one in many other ways of manifestation of different sexualities in relation to heteronormativity. Relying on post-structuralism theories, we also discuss theoretical constructions and discourses about adolescence, pointing at new manifestations of juvenile in contemporaneity. Finally, we realize the existence of many factors that affect the decisions of non-heterosexual youths in relation to “coming out of the closet” beyond homophobia: personal events, life stories and even the revelation of their sexuality to their parents and/or to others.
Sexual acttitudes; Sex role attitudes; Sex discrimination; Adolescence; Homophobia
