Indian LGBTQ+ Youth: The ‘Invisible’ Orientations and Mental Health

Abstract

The past decade has seen an increase in the acceptance of LGBT members, especially in western societies. The impact of this movement has gradually reached eastern societies like India where the LGBTQ+ youth make up a substantial proportion of the population. However, the LGBT+ umbrella encompasses many identities which still do not receive adequate attention in media and literature, which are henceforth, referred to as the ‘invisible identities’. The stigma and discrimination faced specifically by them is discussed in this literature review. Research papers and news articles regarding the queer, asexual, intersex, non-binary and pansexual communities were used. Furthermore, certain therapeutic techniques which could be employed to help these individuals are also discussed. The main concerns of these identities found include; erasure, internalized homophobia, rejection from family, general community and even the LGBTQ+ community along with mental health concerns. Affirmative, art, narrative, drama, group and family therapy were found to be the most beneficial with these clients in addition to other mainstream techniques. The awareness and literature regarding these orientations and identities, particularly in the context of Indian youth is severely lacking, the paper thus aims to contribute to the growth of the same while encouraging future research.