The research reported here examines variables that relate to the speed at which gay identities are acquired. Age cohort, high school heterosexual activity involving more than kissing, and high school homosexual activity involving more than kissing were found to relate to the ages at which a sample of homosexual males suspected they might be homosexual, labeled their feelings as homosexual, defined themselves as homosexual, started to socialize with members of the gay community, and initiated their first love relationship with other males.