Prior studies sometimes use identity, behaviour and attraction measures interchangeably, assuming that any dimension can effectively index sexual orientation. However, when all three are simultaneously asked among youth, will responses coincide? Additionally, limited studies in Asian countries have explored whether coincidence is uniform across sociodemographic groups and measurement approaches. We addressed these gaps by examining whether sexual identity coincides with attraction and behaviour among adolescents and young adults, and whether patterns of (non-)coincidence vary by trans status, age, educational attainment and urbanicity. Using a nationally representative and large-scale survey study in the Philippines (n = 10,949 adolescents and young adults), we found that overall coincidence was very high between identity and attraction, but low between identity and behaviour. Compared to straight-identifying youth, coincident identity and attraction was less likely among those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, while coincident identity and behaviour was only less likely among those who identify as bisexual. We further found that coincidences varied across different demographics. That is, coincidence is more likely for some groups of people than others. We discuss the implications of our current models and measures of sexual orientation, especially for gender- diverse youth such as trans, non-binary, and bisexual people.
Keywords: coincidence; sexual orientation; sexuality; survey methods; youth
Bilon, X. J., & Clemente, J. A. R. (2026). Queering sexual orientation: Non-/coincidence of identity with other dimensions of sexual orientation in a national survey of adolescents and young adults in the Philippines. Psychology & Sexuality. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2026.2715071