O preconceito sexual internalizado por homossexuais masculinos

Despite the emergence, in the last decades, of a wide range of studies related to homosexuality, little has been produced on the subject of internalized prejudice. Based on an articulation between social psychology and psychoanalytical concepts, as well as existing literature on the subject, this article investigates internalized prejudice, defined as an acceptance by homosexuals of society’s negative attitudes regarding homosexuality. Such an acceptance, results in negative feelings towards oneself – mainly shame and guilt of being gay or of experiencing same-sex desire. We strive to relate internalized prejudice with its major clinical manifestations, as well as some of the defense mechanisms used by male homosexuals (denial, reactive formation, rationalization and passing). We conclude the article by raising some issues concerning the reduction of internalized prejudice. Keywords: internalized prejudice; male homosexuality; clinical manifestations.