Internalized homophobia occurs when negative attitudes from the primary group, primarily the family but also the surrounding community, cause negative homophobic thoughts in a person who experiences same-sex attraction, but may not identify with it. This type of internalization creates a lack of self-esteem for those who don't "come out." Research supports that internalized homophobia contributes to reduced self-acceptance, loneliness, depression and reduced ability to come out to others. Internalized homophobia has a strong impact on lesbians because society's norms are to marry a man and reproduce, and this norm is the majority in small rural communities. Because of this norm, lesbians try to maintain a “normal,” “acceptable” lifestyle, get married and have children, while fighting within themselves for their identity. “A number of studies have found that the degree of internalized homophobia was inversely related to relationship satisfaction in lesbians” (Spencer, 2007, p. 258). Gender roles in a small rural community are specific to what a woman “is”. and what a man “is,” and these norms are strictly enforced by rural society. Cooper says that in childhood, “rejection of traditional femininity manifested itself in three ways: 1) taking on the role of the male, 2) being a tomboy, and 3) avoiding feminine clothing and play” (Cooper, p. 168). This rejection of traditional childhood roles creates a stigma, or label, attached by society to these individuals. Society's punishment is greater than the punishment of a dissatisfied self. Reduced ability to obtain health insurance, partner health information, and other benefits also plays a key role in coming out. Rural lesbian society is so small... half paper... so many lives are suppressed, depressed and carry with them the plague of negative stigma. Repressed feelings, self-esteem, and personal sexual choice are hindered by the norms and expectations of our society. Works Cited Cooper, Margaret. "Chapter 25" What It's Like to Be a Rural Lesbian. 168-172. Print.Dunn, Jennifer L. “Chapter 30” Everyone Knows Who Sluts Are: How Young Women Get Around the Stigma. 207-10. Print.King, Rosamond S. “Sex as Rebellion: A Close Reading of Lucy and Brown Girl, Brownstones.” Journal of African American Studies 12.4 (2008): 366-377. Premier of academic research. EBSCO. Network. July 20, 2011.Spencer, Bernadette and Jac Brown. "Fusion or internalized homophobia? A pilot study on differentiating Bowen's self-hypothesis with lesbian couples." Family Process 46.2 (2007): 257-268. Premier of academic research. EBSCO. Network. July 20 2011