PENGARUH HOMOFOBIA DALAMAN TERHADAP PERKAHWINAN LELAKI GAY (EFFECT OF INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA TOWARDS GAY MAN’S MARRIAGE)

Abstract

Internalized homophobia is associated with negative feelings felt by a gay man and appears as an internal conflict within him. Internalized homophobia experienced by gay men is one of the reasons why they are seeking to marry a woman. Therefore, this study aims to assess the level of homophobia experienced by gay men in Malaysia and examining its influence in determining why gay men choose to marry or not to marry a woman. Respondents involved in this study were 29 people selected from Facebook, e-mail, UKM Bangi campus and around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. A set of questionnaire containing items on demographic background, Internalized Homophobia Scale, as well as open-ended questions about why gay men get or not get married and not married to the woman were distributed to the respondents. The study found that the level of internal homophobia gay men for this sample is high at 72.7%. The main reason for gay men getting married is to have progeny (51.72%), awareness to change sexual identity (31.03%), family pressure (24.14%) and the yearning for love of women (24.14%). On the other hand, the main themes for the reasons to not get married is lack of confidence of having sex with women (20.70%), worry about the ability to love women (17.24%), did not want to disappoint women (10.34%) and had trouble finding a mate (10.34%). Strong social support can reduce the level of homophobia and discrimination experienced by gay men in Malaysia.