IDENTITY FORMATION IN YOUNG GAY MEN: A NARRATIVE INQUIR
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Date
0023-06-18
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KINNAIRD COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Abstract
Sexual minorities in Pakistan are largely ignored in research fields. This study aimed to fill
this gap by focusing on the narratives of young gay men in Pakistan regarding their identity
formation. Qualitative research design and narrative research paradigms were adopted to
maintain the integrity of the participants’ own voice. For this purpose, snowball sampling
was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan and in depth, unstructured interviews were taken from the
four participants. The resulting data was analyzed using thematic narrative analysis and
yielded the themes of (a) initial development of identity (sexual assault, gender identity crisis,
religious identity crisis, queer trauma), (b) societal implications on identity (sexism, the
heteronormative default, sexual and romantic challenges, western queerness) and (c)
recognition and integration of identity (I contain multitudes) regarding the identity formation
of the young gay men. All these factors and experiences played into their sense of self and the
narratives they provided regarding their identity formation. Identity formation is a tumultuous
journey for all youths but this is made more difficult for young gay men because of the lack
of social support systems in the community. Social awareness and education can provide aid
in this regard. More research is required in this aspect for sexual minorities in Pakistan for
ignoring someone’s existence does not make them vanish.