Social Construction of LGBT Individuals' Experiences and Its Implications for Multicultural Counseling: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study aims to explore the social construction of the lived experiences of LGBT individuals and its implications for multicultural counseling. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to understand participants’ experiences from their own perspectives. The participants consisted of six gay, bisexual, and pansexual men aged 17–37 years living in Banten, Indonesia. Participants were recruited using the snowball sampling technique, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, including data familiarization, initial coding, theme development, theme review, theme definition, and report writing. The findings reveal that the lived experiences of LGBT individuals are socially constructed through three interconnected processes: externalization, objectivation, and internalization, as proposed by Berger and Luckmann’s Social Construction of Reality theory. Externalization was shaped by family experiences, parenting patterns, social interactions, traumatic events, educational settings, and peer relationships. Objectivation reflected the influence of social norms, religious values, cultural expectations, stigma, discrimination, labeling, and social acceptance in constructing sexual identity. Internalization involved self-acceptance as well as conflicts between sexual orientation and religious or social values. The findings also indicate that stigma and discrimination negatively affect participants’ psychological well-being, while support from peers and communities facilitates self-acceptance. These findings highlight the importance of multicultural counselors possessing cultural awareness, self-awareness, and non-judgmental counseling skills to provide culturally responsive and empathetic services for clients from diverse socio-cultural and religious backgrounds.