Home | Your Journey| Identity and Cultural Dimensions| LGBTQI | Trauma and Internalized Shame
Most people have heard of "Gay Pride" in reference to the LGBTQI community's month of celebration, festivals and parades each June. However, many don't know about the origins of the Pride movement as a protest, an act of community love in defiance of social and cultural standards that diminish the value of LGBTQI lives and contribute to stigma and shame. By loudly and proudly confronting discrimination with openness and positivity, the Pride movement offers many LGBTQI people a place to express themselves and a community to rely on when many can feel lost and alone.
Members of this community are often exposed to traumatic experiences in multiple areas of their lives including societal stigma, discrimination and repression, and rejection from family and community members. Unfortunately, these repeated exposures can lead to sustained levels of stress and internalized shame, and ultimately have serious impacts on the mental health of LGBTQI people.
Societal Stigma
Some of the current stigma associated with LGBTQI identities has origins in religious beliefs. Although each religion, sect and place of worship may vary in its beliefs around LGBTQI issues, and there are a growing number of LGBTQI-affirming denominations and congregations, there are still many religious individuals and communities that believe and promote the idea that being LGBTQI is unnatural, a sin or goes against God.
Some believe that sex should be reserved for the act of procreation, which is not an option for many LGBTQI people. Others may point out where their religious texts directly call homosexuality or being transgender a sin. Due to early education into shared family values, followers of such beliefs may have a harder time reconciling their sexual orientation or gender identity with those values. These conflicting beliefs can lead to inner turmoil and stress.
Some people believe that a person can change their sexual orientation or gender identity through various interventions, such as talk therapy, physical aversion therapy, prayer or reconditioning. This concept is sometimes referred to as conversion therapy or sexual orientation/gender identity change efforts.
These practices have been discredited and deemed unethical by many mental health organizations. Conversion therapy has no scientific evidence of actually changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity and can cause long lasting mental health issues from the various types of trauma inflicted.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
From 1993 to 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was the official position of the U.S. military. Lesbian, gay and bisexual people were allowed to serve in the military but could not reveal their sexual orientation without risking dishonorable discharge. Today, similar practices are being utilized for transgender people. These practices force people to keep a core part of their identity hidden, unable to pursue romantic relationships or access gender-affirming health care. This internal division between sense of self and sense of duty is not only difficult to maintain, but can lead to further isolation and shame.
Rejection, or fear of rejection, from friends or family can reinforce the societal stigma of being LGBTQI. People may not disclose their identity for fear of being rejected and losing not only the love and respect of those they are close to, but also fear of losing housing, education and financial opportunities.
Discrimination, Harassment and Assault
Trauma can also come from discrimination, harassment or assault. Either a single event, such as getting assaulted for being gay or being fired by a transphobic employer, or the long-term effects of sustained stress due to discrimination, can lead to post-traumatic stress responses or PTSD.
A majority of LGBTQI people have experienced harassment or discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Harassment may include both verbal and physical harassment or physical assault. Being a victim of harassment can cause long-term mental health impacts such as anxiety, depression, lack of concentration and fatigue. Multiple instances of harassment or severe cases can cause PTSD. Any of these mental health issues can introduce more stress into a person's life, compounding any existing issues and leading to more severe symptoms.
LGBTQI people also experience discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and while seeking health care. This discrimination can affect a person's mental health whether it is blatant or merely implied — the fear of discrimination can be just as real as an obvious event. The burden of trying to hide or keep your identity a secret can lead to isolation, low self-esteem and other mental health issues. It may also make you less likely to seek help due to fear of discrimination from police, medical professionals and other social supports.
In order to avoid societal stigma or discrimination, an LGBTQI person may choose to not acknowledge their sexual orientation or gender identity. They may choose to seek out heterosexual relationships or to live as the gender they were assigned at birth despite knowing that these identities are not truly right for them.
Some people may choose celibacy in order to avoid awkward sexual encounters, or to only have sexual or romantic relationships in secret. Transgender people may live their day-to-day lives as the gender they were assigned at birth, but then dress or act their true identity in private. This ongoing discomfort and denial of the authentic self can negatively impact relationships with others and overall well-being, ultimately adding to any sense of stigma and shame you already feel.
How to Cope with Trauma and Shame
As a result of trauma, LGBTQI individuals may turn to negative coping strategies, such as:
Denying or trying to change their sexual orientation
Avoiding other LGBTQI people
Suppressing their emotions (especially romantic and sexual)
Having multiple or anonymous sex partners
Developing dependence on alcohol or drugs
Attempting suicide
While these coping strategies may provide temporary relief, they can also exacerbate problems with maintaining positive self-worth, personal relationships and overall mental health.
Instead of using negative coping strategies, LGBTQI individuals may consider more positive coping mechanisms such as:
Advocating for LGBTQI rights
Write a letter, email or call your representatives to support affirming legislation
Educate your community on LGBTQI issues
Participate in lobby days or days of action planned by LGBTQI organizations
Spending time with or building relationships with people who are openly accepting of LGBTQI people
Join a support group in your local area or online — there are many LGBTQI specific recovery groups and group therapy options
Spend time at LGBTQI-owned and LGBTQI-friendly businesses
Mentor LGBTQI young people
Engaging with LGBTQI organizations (e.g., arts organizations, sports leagues and book clubs)
Participating in an affirming place of prayer/worship
Allies to the LGBTQI community can also help support these positive coping strategies by openly and visibly supporting LGBTQI people and issues, advocating for inclusive policies and practices, and interrupting or speaking out against negative remarks and actions taken by other people.
LGBTQI people should not have to suffer from the impact of trauma and internalized shame. Seeking help from supportive friends, mental health professionals and LGBTQI organizations can be of great help to many people.