What does this research mean for the field?

Homophobia towards gay men operates as a narcissistic defense mechanism that binds the terror of failed masculinity by projecting disowned parts of the self onto gay men. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate how homophobia against gay men functions psychoanalytically as a narcissistic defence mechanism against the terror of failed masculinity.

August 28, 2026Psychodynamic Practice

Projecting and hating the ‘failed man’: narcissism and the making of homophobia

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

To investigate how homophobia against gay men functions psychoanalytically as a narcissistic defence mechanism against the terror of failed masculinity.
Applied a psychoanalytic theoretical framework incorporating autoethnography based on the clinician's professional and lived experience.
Examined clinical interactions across two vignettes to evaluate the transmission of homophobic defences and internalized homophobia in therapeutic settings.
Demonstrated that homophobia operates as a structural intolerance of difference where gay men are used to contain disowned, vulnerable aspects of masculine identity.
Identified that clinical homophobic dynamics can recruit gay clinicians into narcissistic, gang-like internal structures by triggering internalized homophobia.
Highlighted that institutional defences within psychoanalysis avoid confronting internal sexual and gender differences, reinforcing structural heteronormativity.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Psychoanalytic case analysis uncovers narcissistic defences driving homophobia against gay men, highlighting how fears of failed masculinity reinforce institutional heteronormativity.

Cite This Study

Julian-Pascal Saadi (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a914631d15324a1df3a992f https://doi.org/10.1080/14753634.2026.2724343

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Psychoanalytic case analysis uncovers narcissistic defences driving homophobia against gay men, highlighting how fears of failed masculinity reinforce institutional heteronormativity.

Projecting and hating the ‘failed man’: narcissism and the making of homophobia

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Projecting and hating the ‘failed man’: narcissism and the making of homophobia

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider