Forgiveness and Acceptance of Internalized Homophobia – LOP039

Gay men can lead others in a new model of forgiveness through their own healing of gay shame and understanding of homophobia. We can evolve as men who understand and embrace the dichotomy of masculine and feminine energies.

As gay men, we struggled with forgiveness when we first came out.

We had to learn to forgive ourselves for the lies people, society, and institutions told us – that we were abnormal, not good enough, broken, or a sinner in the eyes of god.

As adults, we may struggle with accepting gender diversity if we are unknowingly internalizing our own homophobia. The unanswered question is, “Do you have the self-worth to allow yourself to believe that you are good enough, and equal, after years of believing that you weren’t?”

A lack of self-worth results in many gay men fearing the sissy, or the overly feminine male. They fear this aspect of being overly or overtly feminine because they don't completely understand that this expression can be gift. They may take on the self-proclaimed label of “straight-acting” to stand as far away as possible from identifying with anything feminine.

Every single one of us manifest different degrees of the so-called masculine and feminine qualities.

None of those qualities are inherently harmful or scary. None of those qualities take away one’s humanity, value, or worth. It’s people who chose to limit, control, and define others – not qualities.

A few more posts that go deeper into the issues of homophobia and gay shame:

• The Internalized Homophobia Of “Straight-Acting” Gay Men
• How Gay Shame Limits Self-Worth and Personal Growth – LOP008
• Is Forgiveness of Homophobia a Gay Male Gift? LOP030

Living OUT theme music: “Summer” by Bensound.com ~ Photo by Michael Taggart