Internalised homonegativity (IH) is a factor influencing the wellbeing and couple experiences of gay men. Yet limited qualitative research has examined its impact on same-sex relationships. This study explored how gay men experience and navigate IH in relationship contexts. Ten self-identified gay men living in Australia participated in semi-structured interviews using a reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: (1) I am definitely not gay because that would be terrible; (2) There were some really negative headlines about being gay; (3) You'd try anything that could get you to fit in; (4) We're never going to hold a stable equal relationship; and (5) It's not that I don't love you & mldr; It's just I can't express it right now. The findings indicate that IH constitutes not only an internal conflict but also a process enacted through relationships and reinforced by social dynamics. Clinical considerations highlight the importance of professionals recognising how IH appears in relationships, supporting communication within gay couples regarding internalised stigma, and encouraging the development of social networks that enhance belonging and resilience. These insights informed targeted interventions for improving mental health and relational wellbeing among gay men.
Sexual orientation concealment is a prevalent minority stressor among LGBTQ+ people (including nonbinary people) and it is associated with a series of adverse mental health outcomes. The Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale (SOCS) is a widely used brief measure assessing sexual orientation concealment. Although the SOCS has been used with diverse cisgender populations, its validity for nonbinary people, including those of varied racial/ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations, remains unknown. Based on data from an international sample of 340 nonbinary LGBTQ+ individuals, the present study reports the findings of a confirmatory factor analysis to assess the one-factor structure and validity of the SOCS, as well as measurement invariance by racial/ethnic identity (i.e. white and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour [BIPOC]) and sexual orientation (i.e. monosexual, bi+, and queer). The model fit the data well for the one-factor solution, and we observed partial scalar invariance by racial/ethnic identity and sexual orientation. These findings indicate that the SOCS is valid for use with nonbinary people and provide preliminary support for its use across racial/ethnic and sexual orientation groups. We outline implications for future investigation to increase the cohesion of this body of work, and for clinical practice with nonbinary people.
This phenomenological study explores how adults who identify as Littles understand, develop, and integrate age-related practices into their sense of self. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), eight self-identified Littles participated in semi-structured interviews examining identity trajectories, emotionality, and experiences of being Little within intimate relationship contexts. Analysis generated six experiential themes: early feelings of difference, the gradual articulation of identity, validation through others and community, experiences of emotional authenticity and stress relief, the negotiation of stigma and social risk, and the experience of Littleness as a facet of identity. Findings suggest that being Little is an intentional, adaptive identity that fosters emotional regulation and a sense of authenticity rather than reflecting pathology. Participants described Littleness as multifaceted, involving vulnerability, intimacy, and the integration of developmental needs within adult relational life. These results extend theories of narrative identity development to non-normative sexual and relational identities, highlighting how social validation and community belonging shape meaning-making. The study also offers implications for clinical practice, emphasising affirming therapeutic frameworks, and identifies directions for future research on intersectional experiences of Littleness and stigma within kink communities.
