Homofobia, Ferenczi e a dimensão social do trauma

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of homophobia on the psyche through Sándor Ferenczi's trauma theory, with a focus on its social dimension. Homophobia, a term coined in 1977, refers to negative emotions such as aversion and hatred toward homoerotic individuals and, by extension, to all those who express sexual orientation or gender identity different from the heteronormative standards. This research adopts a qualitative approach, using Ferenczi's trauma theory to understand the impacts of homophobia and its social dimension. The research establishes an interdisciplinary dialogue between psychoanalysis and social sciences, following the perspective of implicated psychoanalysis, as proposed by Rosa (2013). The analysis seeks to expand the understanding of trauma beyond individual suffering, considering the social and political influences, as evidenced in Ferenczi's contributions on micropolitics and power relations. The study also draws on recent works by Brazilian psychoanalysts who apply Ferenczi's ideas to reflect on contemporary social issues. It concludes that the suffering caused by homophobia cannot be explained solely in an intrapsychic manner. Clinical listening should consider the effects of social denial on the bodies and subjectivities of those who deviate from the norm. Ferenczi's theory, by valuing the recognition of the other's pain, offers an ethical and sensitive clinical approach, essential to prevent retraumatization. Furthermore, his contributions propose an ethics of care, relevant in contexts such as healthcare, education, and social services, emphasizing the importance of human relationships and social insensitivity in the denial of violence experiences.