Sexual identity issues

Research shows that sexual minorities are at greater risk for trauma exposure, mental health problems, and substance misuse (Balsam et al., 2015). Additionally, Asian youth who identify as LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex) face marginalization as an ethnic minority and as a sexual minority, but also marginalisation of their sexual orientation because of their cultural identity and vice versa (Florido, 2014). Asian males and females who identify as LGBTQI face additional stressors compared to European counterparts stemming from Asian family and community cultural values (Kumashiro, 1999; Han, 2008; Chung, 2006). A defining feature of collective cultures is the importance of the extended family group, expectations of conformity, clear gender roles and maintaining family honour and shame (Greene, 1994). Along with filial piety, Asian males face a strong obligation to carry on the family name. As well, among the psychological and developmental stresses that face gay Asian and other ethnic minority youth is the level of homophobia in Asian communities (Green, 1994). 

In Asian cultures, sexuality is a private matter. Asian gay males not only violate the cultural practice of privacy but also fail to comply with familial obligations to continue the family name (Greene, 1994). Because sexuality is a private matter, sexuality is not considered crucial to one’s identity. Mao et al. (2002) also posit that for many Asian cultures, what Westerners would describe as homosexual activity does not necessarily translate to a homosexual identity. For example, being intimate with someone of the same gender does not necessarily mean that you are homosexual. Another possible explanation is the way that language poses a problem. Many gay Asian youth find it very difficult to discuss their gay identity with parents who have a different vocabulary to talk about their young person’s emerging homosexuality (Poon, 2008).

A study of sexual orientation and sexual behaviour in Asian American sexual minorities reported higher levels of unfair treatment and psychological distress compared to their non-LGB-identified sexual minority counterparts, and unfair treatment² was positively associated with psychological distress (Chae & Ayala, 2009).

Traditional categories of sexual orientation which have been developed in Western societies may be less culturally relevant among ethnic minority groups, for example there are no culturally equivalent words for gay in most Asian languages (Chae & Ayala, 2009).

Significantly, the adoption of a LGBTQI identity among Asian sexual minorities is associated with higher levels of psychological distress than mainstream populations. Asian LGB-identified sexual minorities have markedly higher levels of psychological distress compared to those who are non-LGB identified (Chae & Ayala, 2009). Notably, the mean psychological distress score for LGB-identified Asians in Chae and Ayala’s (2009) study fell within the 15 to 19 range. This range has previously been found to be associated with a 17.8 percent chance of meeting criteria for a DSM mental disorders versus those in the 10 to 14 range, which is associated with a 5.4% chance (Andrews & Slade, 2007). American–born Asian sexual minorities are more likely to report being LGB compared to those who were foreign born. Participants of Chinese ancestry are also more likely to identify as LGB compared to Asians of other ancestries. Asian men are also more likely to identify as LGB compared to women. This and other studies, suggest that discourses and constructions of sexuality among ethnic minorities and, in particular, populations that are predominantly foreign born may differ from mainstream conceptualisations (Chae & Ayala, 2009).

In contrast to ‘‘coming out’’ paradigms that suggest that the adoption of an LGBTQI identity may confer psychological benefits, studies suggest that identification as LGBTQI in Asian communities may be associated with greater exposure to unfair treatment that may negatively impact mental health (Chae & Ayala, 2009).Identification as LGB among Asian sexual minorities may also be associated with other social hazards such as rejection by family members, social isolation, and experiences of sexuality discrimination, which may also increase the risk of poor mental health (Chae & Ayala, 2009; Cochran et al., 2007; Kertzner et al., 2009). Studies of Asian LGB communities show that those who place greater importance on their sexual orientation in defining themselves exhibit higher levels of depression (Chae & Ayala, 2009; Chae & Yoshikawa, 2008). Asian Americans report being less “out” to family members in comparison to White sexual minority members. “Coming out”, in the context of Asian and other ethnic minority families is complicated. While keeping one’s sexual identity from family can add an additional stressor, keeping sexual orientation hidden from family members helps to maintain affiliations to broader ethnic communities and to support and buffer young people against racism. Experiences of racism and discrimination may lead to reluctance to risk experiencing rejection from family for one’s sexual orientation.

² Unfair treatment was measured using nine items from the Everyday Experiences of Discrimination Scale developed by Williams, Yu, Jackson, and Anderson (1997), designed to measure routine experiences of unfair treatment: being treated with less courtesy, less respect, receiving poorer service, being perceived as less smart, dishonest, not as good as others, being feared, insulted, and harassed (Chae & Ayala, 2009).