Healing the wounds of intolerance: The path to acceptance and healing for LGBTQ2 adults

Abstract

This qualitative authoethnographic research explores the relationship between the processes of minority stress, as delineated by Meyer (2003), and the mental health of LGBTQ2 adults. By providing an intimate narrative account of my own journey as a member of the LGBTQ2 community, readers are able to witness the impact of prejudice, stigma, concealment of identity, and internalized homonegativity on my adult self. This account is interwoven with recent scholarly research to allow for a wider scope analysis of these processes. In addition, the implications of these findings for the counselling profession are examined in the hope of promoting awareness, understanding, and best practices when working with LGBTQ2 adult clients. The intentions behind this study were to create an evocative account that will inspire dialogue within the clinical community; to further my own journey of healing; and to dissipate the stigma of personal mental health challenges for counselling professionals.