GRSJ224/Internalized Homophobia

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Internalized Homophobia

Internalized Homophobia is defined as the shame and self-hatred of homosexual individuals who have learned, and been taught that homosexuality is wrong, and not natural. Hearing, and being influenced by negative depictions of LGB people can led to internalized homophobia in which individuals are distressed about their sexual orientation.

Due to distress about their sexual orientation, LGB people may hide their sexual orientation, or even try to deny their own sexual orientation all together, therefore internalized homophobia can manifest itself it many different ways such as:

  • Feeling you are never good enought.
  • Engaging in obsessive thinking and/or compulsive behaviours.
  • Low self esteem, negative body image.
  • Denial that homophobia, heterosexism, biphobia or sexism are serious social problems.
  • Shame or depression
  • Unsafe sexual practices and other destructive risk-taking behaviours. [1]

The Negative Impacts of Internalized Homophobia

On the Self

Internalized homophobia can stop us from living meaningful lives, and can also cause us to ruin relationships or prevent us from building new ones. Individuals can feel angry, bitter, lonely, lost, and can prevent them from being seen for who they truly are, and loved for who they are.[2] Internalized homophobia can also cause depression, and contribute to individuals substance abuse which may develop into long term mental health problems.

On Others & The Community

Internalized homophobia creates a vicious cycle in which more and more people get hurt. It can promote intolerance, violence and discrimination in a community and can cause harmful stereotypes. [3]Most importantly, Internalized homophobia promotes horizontal oppression in which individuals suffering from homophobia attacks others in an LGBT community causing disarray, and drawing attention away from bigger issues. [4]

Horizontal Oppression

Horizontal Oppression can be seen as one of the most damaging results of internalized homophobia and happens when an LGB person subjected to homophobia begins to discriminate against other LGB people. Horizontal oppression can occur due to several reasons related to internalized homophobia including:

  • Feeling disgusted that other LGBTQ people don't express themselves in a hetero normative way.
  • Anger and resentment towards LGBTQ members who are proud of their identity.
  • Excessive judgment of LGBTQ people.[5]

Increased HIV Risk

Despite the increased acceptance and visibility of social activists for the LGBT community, individuals continue to face stigma and oppression. [6]Those that face internalized homophobia battle negative thoughts about who they are which can cause a huge impact on their lives, increasing their tendency to participate in intercourse with different partners, thus exposing themselves to a higher risk of HIV.[7] They face different kinds of discrimination that not only came from the society but also themselves. These individuals are prone to the risk of HIV by exposing themselves to multiple sexual partners, because of societal oppression.[8] Contracting HIV is increased even more so when individuals do not feel safe visiting health clinics, because they may be afraid of discrimination. It is critical to consider and understand the well-being of those around us, no matter what their sexual orientation is. The increase in HIV risk in relation to internalized homophobia is due to an increase in risky sexual behavior, and the lack of health checkups due to fear of being discriminated against.

Internalized Homophobia in China

Although internalized homophobia still exists and is prevalent in North America, social attitudes towards homosexuals in Western society have drastically improved in the last few decades reducing internalized homophobia. In contrast social attitudes towards male homosexuals in China are still heavily stigmatized, and homosexuals as a whole are still seen as abnormal.[9]

Some other reasons for the prevalence of male internalized homophobia in China can be related to several factors. First, Chinese traditional values expect the son to carry on the family name, being unable to successfully fulfill the family role can cause depression, and denial of their sexual orientation.[10] Second, same sex marriage is still illegal in China, and is still highly stigmatized, LGB people living within China are highly repressed and experience stigma/prejudice. Third, HIV infections have increased dramatically in China among gay men, and the virus is widely associated with being homosexual. In this context homosexual men are afraid to identify as homosexual, in fear of losing their friends and family.

References