Abstract
This dissertation investigated the interplay between spirituality, forgiveness, hope, internalized homophobia, and experiences of heterosexist discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals residing in the United States. A total of 171 participants completed assessments measuring their levels of spirituality, forgiveness, hope, internalized homophobia, and encounters with heterosexist discrimination. Although hope did not yield statistically significant associations with internalized homophobia nor with experiences of heterosexism, statistically significant correlations were found for both spirituality and forgiveness with internalized homophobia and experiences of heterosexist discrimination among LGB individuals. The study underscores the importance of acknowledging intersecting identities and diverse experiences within the LGB community and advocates for the creation of inclusive and affirming support networks. These findings advance comprehension of the psychological mechanisms driving resilience and adaptive coping strategies within the LGB population, thereby informing the development of tailored interventions, and support initiatives aimed at promoting mental health and well-being.