Who said gay men should go back into the closet

Concealment is associated with depression and anxiety, substance abuse and susceptibility to infectious disease. Distinct differences, however, were found even within specific regions as a function of varying social and political factors. In Eastern Europe, for example, the study found that four-fifths of sexual minorities reported concealing their sexual orientation, while in nearby Northern and Western Europe, only about one-third reported doing so.

The survey of more than 85, sexual minorities in 28 European countries identifies the proportion of those keeping their sexuality a secret from all or most of the people in their lives. Concealment takes its toll through the stress of hiding and also because it can keep sexual minorities away from each other and from adequate public health attention.

The index scored countries based on six distinct forms of legal and policy discrimination and protections: unequal age of consent for same-sex sexual activity, asylum provisions for sexual minorities, protections against bias-motivated violence, legal protections against discrimination, same-sex partnership recognitions and freedom of assembly.

This information then served as the basis of a statistical model from which to predict the degree of sexual concealment in all world countries. While eliminating stigma is the most direct route to achieving health equality and improving public health outcomes, the researchers suggest that implementing targeted public health interventions can, in the interim, help sexual minority individuals living under the burden of the closet.

The researchers hope their study encourages countries, especially those without adequate health monitoring of sexual minority populations, to reassess the size and health needs of their sexual minority populations. In many countries, free and open sexual expression can be perilous.

Out sexual minorities still face, for example, imprisonment, blackmail and sexual assault.

The history of ‘coming out,’ from secret gay code to popular political protest

Of course, even in the most tolerant countries, out sexual minorities sacrifice the numerous benefits and social capital of presumed heterosexuality, the researchers said. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 28 countries, while 43 provide protections against hate crimes based on sexual orientation.

Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in 72 countries, including eight countries where it is punishable by death, the authors said. Yale School of Medicine. About YSM. YSM Administration. Department Chairs. YSM Executive Group. Faculty Advisory Council. FAC Documents.

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