Suicide in dispute: a critical approach to the association between suicide and non-heteronormative sexualities

Abstract

This study analyzes how social groups with nonheteronormative sexualities are often associated
with suicide and posits some consequences of this
association in academic and social contexts. This
reflection contributes to a necessary conversation
that extends beyond the theoretical positions
of researchers and has a social effect. In this
paper I highlight some of the experienced effects
produced by the association between suicide and
sexual diversity by acknowledging how sexuality
assumes a specific social meaning. The article
is divided into four sections. In the first two,
I analyze how the notion of epidemiological risk
becomes an identity trait in populations with
non-heteronormative sexualities. In the third
section, I reflect on academic research regarding
the association between gender and suicide. The
last section presents a proposal for interpreting
suicidal behavior from a gender perspective that
problematizes the affective and political meaning
of the association.