INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA IN EACH ONE OF US - Page 7
Saturday, 12 June 2004 12:54
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To conclude...
Internalized homophobia is a central clinical issue when working with lesbians.
Regardless of what other issues of lesbian existance are talked about, it is inevitable to touch upon internalized homophobia. Some of the suggessted ways to overcome this deal with:
the conversion of stigma (using the term «lesbian» for oneself and others, visiting meeting spots for lesbians, taking part in the work of lesbian organizations etc).;
Coming out in different spheres of life;
Adjust the way of life with one’s identity (sharing a life with a partner and openness about “no, we are not roommates, we are a couple”);
Working on self-respect and self-esteem.
It is customary, in the developed democratic states, to have successful long-term strategies against social homophobia, created by activists themselves – these are the strategies that would not support internalized homophobia and that are based on the questions and answers of girls and women of lesbian orientation (whether they are part of the community or not) about their “tiny”, BUT ONLY REAL LIVES. This leads to vitalization of the lesbian community from “in the closet” status into a strong lesbian movement.
This writing also suggests initiation of systematic good practice examples of coming out registration and realization of lesbian existence. Justifiably, most often negative experiences are quoted while positive ones certainly exist, but are less outspoken. All girls and women that have experienced positive coming outs can describe this in a written form and share it with others. What makes your coming out a good practice example and what do you believe to have influenced the person you came out to accept you? With this, the experience of every one of us becomes a part of a collection of experiences, women exchange mutual experiences and encourage each other, and the collection of good practice examples represents a powerful tool against internalized homophobia.
June 2004.
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