Maglinao 1

Samantha Maglinao
Anthropology 102
Section 011
Gender Identity and Sexual Behavioral Stigmas and Their Effects on Mental Health
Acceptance is defined as the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable,
typically to be admitted into a group or the willingness to tolerate a difficult or unpleasant
situation (Webster, 2015). Throughout history there many men and woman who eat, sleep,
breath, and have longed for acceptance just like everyone else, but do not get it because of how
they identify themselves. One of the biggest controversies in many cultures around the world is
the acceptance of individuals whose gender identity and choice of sexual activity is not the social
norm. Due to the lack of acceptance, or rather the stigmatization, of these individuals with
differing gender identities and sexual behaviors, many countries and cultures are experiencing an
epidemic of mental illness. Mental illness, can affect a person just as much as physical illness,
however, a majority of the time it goes unnoticed. Over the last two decades studies have shown
that those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), are particularly
vulnerable to mental health problems, largely because of the stressors related to their stigmatized
sexual orientation. (Hershberger & Anthony, 1995). The accumulation of stress due to stigma,
makes them far more likely to commit suicide. In fact, in 1990 LGBT identifiers accounted for
30% of all suicides (Hershberger & Anthony, 1995). According to the National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI), LGBT members are more likely to be victims of dual stigmatization not
only as a result of their sexual orientation, but their state of mental health as well (2007). Crossculturally, we can start to see different patterns of mental health emerging based on the cultural
acceptance or rejection of LGBT and other individuals who identify differently.

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Today, teaching acceptance for individuals who identify as LGBT has become a
progressive movement in many countries, however as some cultures become increasingly
accepting, others have become increasing hostile. Many Middle Eastern counties such as Iran,
Turkey, and Afghanistan have been known for their intolerant attitudes and violent actions
towards the LGBT community. In Turkey, although its not illegal to be gay, it is widely
unaccepted; violent threats, blackmail, and assault are all hardships that LGBT individuals face
in intolerant countries (Morris, 2013). Not only does this create great deal of anxiety for the
individuals, but stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a stressful social environment that
can lead to mental health problems (Meyer, 2003). According to the Huffington Post, the
Jamaican Offences Against the Person Act of 1864 states participating in any buggery or acts
of gross indecency between men are strictly prohibited and punishable by up to 10 years in
prison (Wong, 2014). In addition to Jamaicas human rights restricting laws, many acts of
violence have been taken against members of the LGBT community including, but not limited to:
being hacked to death with a machete, knifed or set on fire (Morris, 2003). Due to the
discrimination LGBT members face they, live in constant fear (Wong, 2014). With such
tension caused by intolerance and fear, stigmatized individuals can suffer severe anxiety when
during social situations and interactions (Meyer, 2003). Living in with constant fear of abuse and
rejection only makes it harder for individuals to discover their true identity because they
constantly have to conceal it. This inhibition of identity only adds to the mental stress of a person
and they are more likely to commit egotistic suicide (Hershberger & Anthony, 1995). The social
rejection of an LGBT members not only creates a hostile environment for the individual and their
families, but it greatly hinders their mental health as well.

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Conversely, cultures who do not choose to stigmatize people based on sexual preference
or gender identity tend to have less conflict and lower incidences of suicide and mental health.
For instance, the Tongzhi china, (Tong literally means same/homo, and zhi meaning goal,
spirit, or orientation. (Wah-Shan, 2001)) is a group of individuals whose main goal is
demonstrate their aspiration to become an integrated part of their society and unite sexual politics
with the Communist National Party of China (Wah-Shan, 2001). Social acceptance and
psychological acceptance can moderate a relationship between control of ones life and health
(Bond & Bunce, 2003). When an individual feels they have no control in their life (i.e. living in
constant fear of abuse and violence) they become stressed and anxious, which in turn leads to
their decline in their mental health and stability. Referring back to the tongzhi, they create
social harmony by taking the most sacred title from the mainstream culture, and proclaiming
ones sexual identity by appropriating rather than denying ones familial-cultural identity (WahShan, 2001). In cultures such as the Sulawesi in Indonesia, they show no discrimination towards
ones gender identity or sexual preference. In fact, in this culture they have 5 genders, in which
they believe must all coincide to keep the harmony of the earth (Graham, 2001). George Orwell
once said, Happiness can exist only in acceptance. As shown in the incidence of
discrimination, humans who are constantly living in rejection are more likely to have hindered
mental health, more than those who are free to act as they are.

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Citations
Bond, Frank W., and David Bunce. "The role of acceptance and job control in mental health, job
satisfaction, and work performance." Journal of applied psychology 88, no. 6 (2003): 1057.
Graham, Sharyn. "Sulawesi's Fifth Gender - Inside Indonesia." Inside Indonesia. Indonesian
Resources and Information Program, Spring 2001. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
Hershberger, Scott L., and Anthony R. D'Augelli. "The impact of victimization on the mental
health and suicidality of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths."Developmental psychology 31, no. 1
(1995): 65.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Merriam-Webster.com., s.v. acceptance
Meyer, Ilan H. "Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual
populations: conceptual issues and research evidence." Psychological bulletin 129, no. 5 (2003):
674.
Wah-Shan, Chou. "Homosexuality and the cultural politics of Tongzhi in Chinese
societies." Journal of Homosexuality 40, no. 3-4 (2001): 27-46.