NON–ACCEPTANCE AND PREJUDICE AGAINST SEXUAL MINORITY - CAUSE TOWARDS SUICIDAL IDEATION

Author Name: 1. Rashmi Rekha Gohain 2. Dr. Sampreety Gogoi

Volume/Issue: 03/05

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/11.2022-29786736/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Ph.D Scholar, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Faculty of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, Assam, India
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Faculty of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, Assam, India

ABSTRACT

The sexual minority is the group of an individual whose sexual identity and sexual orientation is different from the majority of society. It comprises of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, ally, and many more (LGBTQIA+). After coming out as different from the presumed gender, sexual minorities often deal with an array of stressors. They often face numerous negative experiences such as lack of family support, social rejection, prejudice, bullying, teasing, discrimination, lack of access to support groups, etc. All these factors make them feel miserable, depressed and develop the feeling of thwarted belongingness as well as perceived burdensome which contributes to suicidal ideation among the sexual minority. Studies also revealed that LGBTQ youth experience a greater risk of suicidal ideation than heterosexual individuals (McGraw, et al., 2021). The sexual minority are not inherently prone to suicidal risk due to their sexual orientation but the way they were mistreated and stigmatized in society places them in a higher place in terms of suicidal risk. The interpersonal psychological theory of suicidal behavior by Joiner, et al., 2005 stated that individuals will not die by suicide unless they have both the desire as well as the ability to die by suicide. Some of the warning sign for suicidal ideation among sexual minority includes anxiety, withdrawal, substance abuse, purposeless, hopelessness, being trapped, and many more. Although there are sustainable development goals to promote good health and well-being, gender equality, and reduced inequality but sexual minorities continue to face discrimination and exclusion across all spheres of life based on their sexual orientation. Day-by-day there is a drastic change observed towards acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in society but still, due to lack of proper knowledge and the homophobic attitude, most of the members in society treat them as invisible as well as different which makes them more prone towards suicidal ideation.

Key words: Sexual minority, non-acceptance, prejudice, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensome and suicidal ideation