Sapphics on the sidelines: why sexuality-specific measures matter in internalised lesbophobia research

Research into internalised homophobia has uncovered broad links to worse mental health outcomes for sexual minority individuals. However, non-specific measures for different sexual minorities' internalised homophobia limit the impact and specificity of research and psychological interventions. Applying measures made for gay men to lesbian samples, and leaving sexuality-specific nuances as an afterthought, may lead to assumptions that internalised homophobia is invariable across the LGBTQ+ community. In this review, we explain why current frameworks of internalised homophobia are conceptually insufficient and seek to promote sexuality-specific measures for internalised lesbophobia and other sexual minorities. We do so using feminist theories on objectification, hegemonic masculinity, and the heterosexual matrix alongside findings on lesbians' mental health and internalised lesbophobia. Lesbians' experiences with gender nonconformity and geographic cultural variations are also considered in terms of their importance in the development of research instruments. Improving specificity in the conceptualisation of internalised homophobia will facilitate a more accurate understanding of lesbians' mental health experiences, and by extension other sexualities, which will allow for more precise measurement, greater cultural validity in interventions, and improved pathways for addressing minority stress in clinical and community settings.