PrideorCloset? Unpacking Experiences of Minority Stress, Coping, and Resistance among Gender and Sexual Minorities in India

Bibliographic Data

ID3636708
AuthorsDibyangana Biswas (0000-0003-2377-6066, University of Calcutta, corresponding author), Anindita Chaudhuri (University of Calcutta), Nilanjana Mitra (University of Calcutta), Himadri Roy Chaudhuri (0000-0001-8143-7287, Marketing Area, XLRI- Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur, India)
Year2023
Volume70
Issue11
Pages2607-2633
Publication date2023-09-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2022.2071662
OpenAlexW4281689391
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited69

In India, sexuality has long been a silent battleground, which has led to the legal acceptance of non-heteronormative practices in recent years. Given the risk of facing difficulties and social discrimination, questions may arise on the consequences of revealing non-heteronormative gender identity and sexual orientation. Using data from a two-year qualitative immersive study on the queer individuals in India and extant theories on Concealed Stigmatized Identity and Minority Stress, we explore the dynamics of disclosure, or "Coming-out of the closet" and construct a narrative on their lived experiences of stress and coping associated with marginal gender identity. Thematic analysis reveals that informants elaborate, borrow, and adapt perceptions and experiences of denial and loss of agency as queer individuals. Disclosure and Coming-out help them to find the "safe others." The findings indicate that this kinship and entitativity result in measurably higher well-being, happiness, and meaning in life. We conclude that rising above the minority stress can be the beginning of endless possibilities in different spheres of life for gender and sexual minorities. Participants' narratives unpack the embodied and contextual stereotypes and taboos and the precarity of living with non-normative identities. The paper makes a compelling argument that coping with gender marginalization, vulnerability, and loss of dignity can be achieved through a sense of purpose and meaning

Dignity · Human sexuality · Minority stress · Political science · Pride · Queer · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Transgender · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology