The Sexual Identity of Individual with Same-Sex Orientation: A Qualitative Study on Indonesian Gay

Abstract

The homosexual phenomenon and those issues referring to LGBTQ community still confronting a debate amongst society especially in Indonesia. The pros and cons causing some people with homosexual orientation to hide their identity. The circumstances of someone’s lifetime experience are believed to be one of the factors why someone choose the same-sex orientation. This research uses a phenomenological approach with thematic analysis technique. The aim is to provide a self-concept overview of individual with same-sex orientation and also what are the factors reinforcing it. From the two respondents, we found six main themes that might influencing the formation of their sexual orientation, there are trauma, the parent-child relationship, school experience, peer influence, technology, and self-concept. Regarding their sexual identity, respondent 1 has now accepted himself as a homosexual person while respondent 2 accepts his sexual orientation right now but he believe that one day he has to change his orientation.