In today’s world, many homosexual couples are ready to commit for lifetime to each other. But few know the challenges faced by same-sex couples, which means that they might never be able to have a happy and stable married life.
However, the better news is that things are switching these days. People are becoming vocal about same-sex relationships. We must celebrate this fact and take time to notice the challenges faced by same-sex couples and share them with everyone in society.
In India, homosexuality is slowly emerging from taboo. But now and then, incidents that happen around, are a painful reminder of how far we still have to go before the LGBTQ community so they can live their life to the fullest.
Thus, it becomes vital for us to understand the challenges faced by them, especially when it comes to relationships and marriage. A long-term commitment between two loving partners is very important. However, for homosexual couples, it is not easy. They face lots of challenges as compared to their straight counterparts. Despite this, many people from the LGBTQ community are still married and living happy lives, due to social and family pressures. It is crucial to understand that these challenges are impacting the mental health of homosexual people.
Societal prejudice: homosexual people are exposed to prejudiced events, which include discrimination, violence, and abuse. Also, the psychological consequences of their victimization can be more severe.
Triggers to mental health: various social psychology evidence proves that being in a minority position can impact mental health. Social identity issues can lead to self-discrimination.
Stigma related to homosexuality: LGBTQ community has the expectations of discrimination and rejection which can lead to suicidal thoughts and traumas.
Body dysmorphia: where the individual has the pivot of obsession on perceived imperfections in appearance. Body disaffection among homosexual individuals can be the reason for severe stress and anxiety.
The importance of coping with stigma: seeking out professional help can help people to cope better where they can develop a sense of self-awareness and self-reflection.
Group therapies can help them feel in a safe place and add validation to their feelings. help them understand their sexual orientation and gender identity, and allow them to be who they are!
The best way to overcome these challenges is to be strong, embrace who you are, and never let the opinions of others dictate your life. With that in mind, people will continue to be themselves no matter what anyone else might think.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Bhoomika Sharma is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.