What internalized stigma looks like

Remember, if you’ve internalized negative messages from society about being LGBTQ+, it’s not your fault and you’re not alone. It’s impossible to not be influenced by the culture and people that surround us. 

Check out the following examples of how internalized stigma shows up.

It’s often directed at yourself

It can look like self gaslighting (questioning the validity of your own thoughts and feelings)

Feeling shame when you do find someone attractive

Feeling both at the same time

It can make you change the way you act to make cis-het people more comfortable, even when you know they love and accept you as you are

It can make you feel like you’re unworthy of love even if you’re in a relationship

It can force you to subscribe to society’s expectations of gender expression

But the thing to remember is that you can fight back by rewiring the story you tell yourself.

And in the end, you have the power to develop skills to help change these messages.

Keep going with the next activity to learn more.