Internalized Homophobia among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons: Contributing Factors and Effects

Abstract

The present paper was an examination and analysis of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) persons by way of an integrated literature review of the circumstances and effects of homophobia that they face at home, in society, within their community, and psychologically. Despite the ongoing advances in the rights of LGBT persons in North America and throughout the world, this population continues to cope with pervasive oppression and marginalization in the form of stigmatization, stereotyping, homophobia, heterosexism, discrimination, violence, anti-LGBT rhetoric in the media and news, anti-LGBT legislation, familial attitudes, and other general sociological conditions. Multifaceted interactions between conditions such as these have an adverse impact upon the life experiences of many LGBT persons, and may ultimately facilitate the internalization of homophobia among this population.