Internalized homophobia and psychological distress in homosexual individuals

Abstract

With the new ruling of the Supreme Court, legalization of homosexuality took place but even then there are frequent incidents of discrimination, continuous castigation and victimization. These incidents tend to impact individual deeply. Internalized homophobia can be defined as negative attitudes, and affects regarding homosexuality of other individuals and homosexual tendencies or features in oneself. These adverse attitudes towards self in-turn leads to feelings of low self-regard and anger turned inwards, which can harm on both conscious and subconscious levels hence leading to feelings of worthlessness, discomfort around other homosexual individuals and avoiding social situations with them as well as resorting to mocking them. This review sheds light on aspects of internalised homophobia and psychological distress faced by the LGB community in the wake of this new era. Clinical considerations and recommendations are given for future research.