Factors influencing the development and determination of homosexuality with acceptance of one's sexual orientation, among homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people in the City of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the expansion of homosexuality is probably boosted by several factors that must influence the development and determination of homosexuality with acceptance of one's sexual orientation, especially among  adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe among homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders in the city of Kinshasa, the factors  which influenced the development and determination of their homosexuality, and which lead them to accept their sexual orientation.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted from February 1, 2021, to March 30, 2022, in the homosexual,  bisexual and transgender population of Kinshasa. The selection was made in homosexual associations and the snowball method was  used to constitute the sample. The statistical significance level was P< 0.005.

Results: The study involved 555 participants. Most  respondents had discovered their sexual orientation while growing up next to a homosexual (60.5%), the relationship between the  parents of the respondents was made up of life as a couple with disharmony or a life of divorce (74, 9%). Most of them had discovered  their sexual orientation between the ages of 10 and 17, and in situations of alcoholism (64.5%). The natives of Kinshasa are distinguished  from their counterparts in the interior of the country, by the relational problems between their parents and the level of alcohol and tobacco intoxication.

Conclusion: Growing up next to a homosexual, bisexual or transgender person mostly allows the discovery of  sexual orientation. A relationship made up of life as a couple with disharmony or a life of divorce between the parents, has a great  influence on the development and determination of homosexuality in children. The age group of 10 to 17 years is that of the discovery of  homosexual orientation (first homosexual act), mostly in situations of alcoholism.