Evaluation of Internalized Homophobia in Gay Men Application

Evaluation of Internalized Homophobia in Gay Men: Application of Cass’ Identity Model Daniel Brush HONR 203 -01 4/17/19

History of Homosexuality Cass’ Theory of Homosexual Identity Development 1. ) Identity Confusion 2. ) Identity Comparison 3. ) Identity Tolerance 4. ) Identity Acceptance 5. ) Identity Pride 6. ) Identity Synthesis

HISTORY OF HOMOSEXUALITY Middle ages • Catholicism • Disagreement with any form of sex that is non-procreative Ancient Civilization: • Greece and Rome • Same-sex encounters related to power dynamics and social structure 19 th Century (1869): • Development of the term homosexual • Allows for essentialization of same-sex attraction Enlightenment Era: • Western society begins the scientific study of sexuality and gender • At this point, all forms of non-procreative sex were termed sodomy 20 th-21 st Century: • Marginalization of homosexuals due to disagreement with patriarchy and religious values • Heteronormative societies dominate • “Sexual rebellion”

Essentialism • “Behaviors and characteristics are described as deeply rooted and intrinsic, substantially fixed, inductively potent, and at least partly rooted in biological nature” - Haslam et. al, 2004 • Homosexuality must been ”pretty much the same” throughout history. It is generally accepted that, while essential features do exist, classification of sexual orientation is a social construct. Social Constructionism • Characteristics and identities, while associated with certain essential features, become "social artifacts" which can be formed and shaped according to reigning cultural ideal. - Cerulio, 1997 • Verstehen (Weber): response to social positivism that agues that it takes knowledge of a particular situation to make a conclusion about it.

INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA “Homophobia impacts on how gay and bisexual men view their own homosexuality. They often internalize homophobia while living in heterosexist society. Internalized homophobia means ‘‘the gay person’s direction of negative social attitudes toward the self, leading to a devaluation of the self and resultant internal conflicts and poor selfregard. ’’ - Eguchi, 2006 Causes: • Social construction of sexuality • Ego-dystonic self image, affect of shame • Minority stress model

THEORY OF HOMOSEXUAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT “This model is presented as a broad guideline for understanding how an individual comes to adopt a homosexual identity. It is not intended that it should be true in all respects for all people since individuals and situations are inherently complex. Further, it is expected that over time, changes in societal attitudes and expectations will require changes in the model. ” - Vivienne Cass, 1979

Goal Identify the roots of internalized homophobia, as well as the results of adopting this self -image. Method • Use Cass’ model to analyze the progression of a homosexual individual • At each stage, identify how internalized homophobia applies • The effects of internalized homophobia on the individual will also be considered

1. ) IDENTITY CONFUSION Causes Hegemonic masculinity • Refers to the collection of practices that subordinate those other than men in the maintenance of patriarchy • Normative, regulating the behavior of men in terms of acceptable manhood Theme “Who am I? ” Homophobia • Considered emergent and multiple • “Homophobia is a central mechanism by which hegemonic masculinity is constituted and maintained” - Bridges & Pascoe, 2016 Response Initial Acceptance Rejection of possible homosexuality • Self-hate • Identity foreclosure Application Internalized Homophobia is the result of conformity to discursive practice

2. ) IDENTITY COMPARISON Causes Alienation • Belief that one might be a homosexual creates an incongruity between them and the norms that society has established • One must adopt new ideals now that their previous heterosexual self is in question Theme “I may be homosexual” Response Passing maintaining a heterosexual appearance Application Internalized Homophobia is the result of refusing to adopt a homosexual identity Accept behavior, but attempt to justify sense of self Complete rejection Fear of alienation identity foreclosure

3. ) IDENTITY TOLERANCE Causes Incongruity • Increased social alienation creates an internal conflict • One now sees themselves as homosexual, but society still sees them as heterosexual • Homosexual contact is now seen as something that must be done, and is simply tolerated Theme “I probably am homosexual” Response Weakening of ties to heterosexual community Application Internalized Homophobia fosters the notion that homosexual contact is wrong Positive experience Homosexual contact Negative experience

4. ) IDENTITY ACCEPTANCE Causes Experience and Community • Positive experiences with homosexual contact • Acceptance of identity, rather than toleration • Belief in the legitimization of gay subculture Theme “I am a homosexual” Response Application Internalized Homophobia leads to internal conflict when considering full legitimization Change in beliefs about homosexual community and its legitimization Full legitimization Partial legitimization

5. ) IDENTITY PRIDE Causes Societal Pressures • An individual accepts their homosexuality, but still experiences incongruity with society’s rejection of their lifestyle • One now prefers a homosexual identity to a heterosexual one Theme “I am a proud homosexual” Disclosure: “no direct link between coming out and psychological adjustment” - Brown & Trevethan, 2010 Application Internalized Homophobic feelings and incongruity are shifted from the self to society Response Activism Devaluation of heterosexual opinions; assumption of a rigid dichotomy between gay and straight

6. ) IDENTITY SYNTHESIS Causes Unity • A realization that the differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals are far less significant than the similarities Theme “I am a person” Application “Furthermore, internalized homophobia may never be completely overcome, thus it could affect LGB individuals long after coming out” - Frost & Meyer 2009 Response There is no longer a homosexual identity. Rather, this is just one component of an integrated sense of self

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