Queerness is an umbrella term that encompasses various non-heteronormative sexual orientations and gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, pansexual, asexual, agender, bigender, demigender, demisexual, and more. In socially restrictive environments, such as traditional cultures, religious communities, or conservative political regimes, queer individuals may face social stigma, discrimination, violence, and criminalization for expressing their identity or engaging in consensual sexual activities. Existential strategies are psychological techniques that support self-definition and help individuals cope with negative social responses. They involve reframing the situation, finding personal meaning, challenging external judgments, and building resilience.
One might define oneself as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, seek out affirmation from like-minded people, explore alternative ways to express oneself, and cultivate inner strength. These strategies can be used to counteract social pressures and enhance wellbeing.
They require introspection, creativity, and emotional fortitude.
Cultural influences
In many cultures, heterosexuality is seen as the norm, and any deviation is considered deviant or immoral. This leads to widespread discrimination, harassment, and persecution against queer individuals. In some cases, it even leads to physical violence or death. To survive, queer individuals must adapt by concealing their identity or conforming to social expectations.
Lesbians in Uganda have been forced into hiding after anti-gay laws were introduced, while bisexuals in Indonesia face family pressure to marry someone of the opposite sex. Some choose to hide their sexual orientation altogether, while others adopt a more flexible approach to gender presentation and romantic partnerships. This can lead to internalized homophobia, shame, and self-doubt, which can undermine mental health and quality of life. Existential strategies can help individuals overcome these challenges by redefining themselves on their own terms and refusing to accept societal prejudice.
Gender fluidity
Gender is a complex construct that encompasses many aspects of identity, including biological sex, assigned gender, perceived gender, and lived experience. It can change over time and vary across contexts. Queer individuals often defy traditional gender roles and stereotypes by dressing, speaking, acting, and expressing themselves outside of binary categories. They may identify as transgender, nonbinary, agender, or something else entirely. In conservative environments, this can be met with hostility, ridicule, and exclusion.
Existential strategies can help them reclaim their autonomy and define themselves on their own terms.
They might explore alternative styles of clothing or hairstyles, experiment with gender-neutral pronouns or names, or seek out spaces where they feel comfortable being themselves. By doing so, they challenge rigid social norms and promote greater diversity and inclusivity.
Sexual practices
Sexual intimacy is an essential aspect of human existence, but it carries cultural and political connotations beyond the physical act itself. In some cultures, public displays of affection are frowned upon, while others criminalize certain sexual acts. Queer individuals may face discrimination for engaging in consensual activities deemed immoral or unnatural. To cope, they can use existential strategies such as openness, curiosity, honesty, and self-awareness. They might seek out like-minded partners who share similar values and interests, explore new types of pleasure, and communicate clearly about boundaries and preferences. By embracing their desires and finding joy in sex, queer individuals can resist social pressure and assert their right to intimacy and self-expression.
What existential strategies support queer self-definition in socially restrictive environments?
Existential strategies are defined as methods that an individual uses to cope with feelings of alienation, meaninglessness, and absurdity in their life, especially when they feel isolated from society due to their sexual orientation (Hartmann, 2014). One strategy for supporting queer self-definition in socially restrictive environments is to build strong connections with other members of the LGBTQ+ community.