Microaggressions based on sexual orientation and the mental health of gay men youth in three Mexican Cities

Abstract

Microaggressions are a form of subtle violence that young gay men experience throughout their lives, which are known for negatively affecting mental health. A qualitative study with focus groups and in-depth interviews was conducted with 26 young gay men from three geographic areas of Mexico to explore their experiences of microaggressions based on sexual orientation and their impact on mental health. Results showed that microaggressions are present in all stages of life, mainly with family, friends, school, and in public and private spaces, and have behavioral, cognitive, and emotional effects such as sadness, shame, fear, crying, and concealment. The experience of these events and their consequences continue throughout all stages of life. The results suggest the importance of creating inclusive contexts within family and educational environments where gay youth can develop free of discrimination, especially in childhood and adolescence.

Keywords:

• Gay youth
• microaggressions
• mental health
• childhood
• adolescence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada through a Partnership Grant (SSHRC) under Grant #895-2018-1000.

Notes on contributors

J. C. Mendoza-Pérez

Juan Carlos Mendoza-Pérez is a professor in the Department of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His work is addressed to researching the health and well-being of LGBT populations.

J. C. Trejo-Hernández

Julio César Trejo-Hernández is a psychotherapist for adolescents and adults. His private practice focuses primarily on improving psychological well-being, emphasizing gender and sexual diversity issues.

R. A. Olmedo-Neri

Raul Anthony Olmedo-Neri is a Professor in Online Campus at Technological University of Mexico, and a Professor in Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at National Autonomous University of Mexico. His work is addressed to researching the sociocultural dimension of LGBT+ populations and the appropriation of ICT and the Internet.

J. I. Vega-Cauich

Julio Isaac Vega-Cauich is a part-time professor at the Faculty of Education of the Autonomous University of Yucatan. His work focuses on topics related to interpersonal violence and victimization surveys. He was part of the second cohort of the International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience (INQYR).

I. Lozano-Verduzco

Ignacio Lozano-Verduzco is a professor at the National Pedagogic University in Mexico City. He is interested in homophobia (and other forms of discrimination and stigma) as a social structure and how it affects subjectivity and wellbeing.

S. Craig

Shelley Craig is a professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto and is the Canada Research Chair in Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (SGMY). She directs the International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience (INQYR), which works to address the needs and enhance the resilience of SGMY in diverse global contexts.