Psychoanalysis and Homosexuality: The Relevance of Homophobia and Shame for all Sexualities

This article will describe some contemporary developments in psychoanalytic thinking about sexuality, from a post-heteronormative standpoint. Psychoanalytic theorising of homosexuality had been generally homophobic for decades, reflecting society stereotypes. Previously, many analysts prescribed treatment to convert “the homosexual patient” to “healthy heterosexuality”, which Freud had regarded as likely to be unsuccessful. The author argues that psychoanalysis, having been part of the “disease” of homophobia, and the lengthy shadow cast by shame, can also contribute to its “cure” by promoting a broader understanding of the conscious and unconscious nature of desire and identity. The author considers the central role played by the superego in maintaining shame's dominance and explores the impact of shame on time and temporality, including shame's unique après coup nature. The struggle for acceptance of non-heteronormative sexuality is discussed and contemporary developments in theorising desire, internalised homophobia, and Oedipus are explored. Drawing on fictional composite clinical vignettes, the author describes current challenges that clinicians face in relation to homophobia and shame, illustrating the central importance for clinicians to address where shame and homophobia lie within their own internal worlds and object relationships.