What is it about?
While a considerable body of research has documented the experiences of suicide bereavement, the vast majority of this work has focused almost exclusively on heterosexual populations; to date, the experiences of gay men bereaved by the suicide of a partner have not been studied. This article explores the experiences of two gay men who lost a partner to suicide and explores how stigma may shape gay men’s bereavement experiences.
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Why is it important?
The lack of attention to suicide bereavement among gay men is significant, particularly as bereavement research from other causes of death (e.g. cancer) has highlighted unique challenges linked to the persistence of sexual stigmas that discriminate against same-sex relationships. Sexual stigma can also prevent some gay men from seeking and accessing professional support following the death of a partner, and as such prolong and complicate their grief.
Perspectives
We hope this article provides insight into the importance of interventions to de-stigmatise mental illness and suicide within and outside the gay community.
John Oliffe
University of British Columbia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Stigma in the bereavement experiences of gay men who have lost a partner to suicide, Culture Health & Sexuality, January 2019, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2018.1556344.
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