Sebastian Beaumont

In this PhD I will be writing an autoethnographic novel exploring growing up gay in a homophobic culture (the UK in the 1960s and 70s) and becoming a gay activist in Brighton, UK, in the 80s and 90s. In addition, and from my perspective as a psychotherapeutic counsellor, I investigate the re-languaging of LGBT+ trauma. I explore therapeutic interventions that challenge the language of 'gay shame' and 'internalised homophobia', looking to find a more positive language that can identify wounding as well as the possibility of healing; moving from the language of deficiency to the language of personal empowerment.