The Colour of Queer

This chapter examines the intersecting of sexual identity with gender, age, disability and socio-economic class, which in turn intersect with spatial inclusions/exclusions. It addresses the unique mental health needs of lesbians and gay men and how these are impacted by both societal homophobia but also pressures from within the wider lesbian and gay community. At one time homosexuality was treated as a serious mental disorder, but practitioners today are expected to understand lesbian and gay male identity and sexual practice as having equal value to that of heterosexuality. The lesbian or gay home place, standing alone within a homophobic neighbourhood can almost be experienced as a prison, damaging to lesbian or gay mental health and wellbeing. Homophobic violence and abuse serve as violent reminders to lesbians and gay men within the neighbourhood of the need to pass or hide their sexual identity if they are to avoid being the next target.