
Internalized homophobia and transphobia is described as directing society’s or culture’s negative attitudes about your identity towards yourself. There is debate about where research and mental health clinicians should focus their attention when working with 2SLGBTQIA+ people on feelings of shame, guilt, or self-hatred towards their identity. Internalized homophobia or transphobia are commonly heard terms, a lot of attention has been placed on its negative impacts on mental health and its broad use in pop culture. But some feel that we should not be focused inwards, but towards the society and culture that make 2SLGBTQIA+ feel shame or hatred about ourselves. It remains the same issue, but different approaches to addressing a major 2SLGBTQIA+ issue, and perhaps using both perspectives could be the solution.
Internalized homophobia and transphobia can often include feeling shame when expressing your identity or living your life in a different way than the majority, such as being in a queer relationship. It can also include feelings of guilt that stem from hiding your identity during childhood, adolescents, or into adulthood or views from family or friends that there is something wrong about queer people or queer relationships. These difficult feelings that stem from an unaccepting society or culture are turned inwards into self-hate or low self-esteem. If you have been taught throughout your life that an identity is wrong, it makes sense that people would feel shame or guilt when trying to come to terms with or express that identity.
Impacts on mental health and wellbeing
Internalized homophobia and transphobia can have serious mental health impacts, including lower self-esteem and poor self-concept. Having a strong positive sense of identity has been shown to help promote mental health wellbeing among 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Internalized homophobia has also been linked to lower quality of life and life satisfaction.
Internalized homophobia or transphobia not only has serious mental health implications but can also add other life challenges. People experiencing higher internalized homophobia or transphobia are more likely to conceal their identity or relationships, avoid public displays of affection, and participate less in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Hiding a 2SLGBTQIA+ has been shown to negatively impact mental health and can cause difficulty in maintaining health relationships. A strong connection to your identity and to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has been shown to support mental health and wellbeing among 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Seeking identity affirming environments, such as inclusive events, community spaces, supportive friends or family, and mental health care, have been shown to reduce internalized homophobia and transphobia and promote mental wellbeing. Seeking supportive and identity affirming mental health care and education about the history of 2SLGBTQIA+ oppression can be helpful ways to work towards reducing internalized homophobia or transphobia. As a society, we need to increase education, create inclusive and representative communities, and promote positive images of 2SLGBTQIA+ people to help reduce internalized homophobia and transphobia.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto