Acceptance (for Some): In-Group Stigmatization within the LGBTQ+ Community

ABSTRACT

Social stigma can have negative mental and physical health repercussions for those who experience it. The LGBTQ+ community is one group demonstrative of this finding. Much of the research on stigmatization and the LGBTQ+ community focuses on stigmatization toward this group from broader society. Social psychology research has demonstrated the prevalence of in-group stigmatization within the community. For this study, 22 participants who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community were interviewed. Findings illustrate both enacted and perceived stigmatization that participants experience within the community related to behavioral, bisexual, and, Trans stigmatization, and demonstrate remaining work regarding how communities communicate about themselves, among their members, and the complex relationships that constitute them.

KEYWORDS:

• In-groups
• LGBTQ+ community
• stigmatization
• bullying
• identity
• gender

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Scott Sellnow-Richmond

Scott Sellnow-Richmond is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Deborah Sellnow-Richmond

Deborah D. Sellnow is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Kassidy Pemberton

Kassidy Pemberton is an undergraduate student in psychology at Fontbonne University.