Sexual Orientation Microaggression Experiences and Coping Responses of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study explored the sexual orientation microaggression (SOM) experiences and coping strategies of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Taiwan. In total, 30 LGB individuals (17 women and 13 men; 17 homosexual and 13 bisexual individuals) who experienced SOMs participated in qualitative, semistructured interviews, during which their SOM experiences were assessed. Through the interviews, several types of SOMs were identified, corresponding to three main types of microaggression (microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations) previously identified in Western studies. The participants reported various coping responses to SOMs, ranging from active responses to choosing not to respond, to protecting themselves or to minimizing the negative consequences of confrontation. The results provide mental health professionals with insight regarding the contexts of and coping responses to the SOMs experienced by LGB individuals.