Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between internalized homophobia, psychological well-being, acculturation, social support, and involvement in the LGBT community among Latino gay men. Participants were solicited through electronic mailing lists of numerous LGBT organizations and invited to complete an online survey via the Qualtrics survey platform (http://www.qualtrics.com/). A total of 179 participants formed the sample for this study. Participants were 18 years of age or older who identified as Latino and gay. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between internalized homophobia and psychological well-being among Latino gay men. The results indicated that participants with low internalized homophobia and high social support had significantly higher average psychological well-being than did the participants in the other groups. Connection to the LGBT community, psychological well-being, and social support were each significant, unique predictors of lower internalized homophobia. Acculturation did not have a significant relationship to internalized homophobia, nor was it a significant predictor of internalized homophobia. Connection to the LGBT community had a positive relationship with psychological wellbeing but was not a significant unique predictor of psychological well-being. Psychological well-being was also positively correlated to being out. Being out and having higher education tended to be associated with higher levels of well-being, social support, and community connection, and with lower levels of internalized homophobia. Endeavors to reduce internalized homophobia in the lives of LBGT individuals need to be clearly defined, and along with establishing connections with the community.