Migration and Acculturation of Indian Queer Diaspora in United States

Abstract

Acculturation makes its impact on the lives of migrants and immigrants. Generally, diasporic individuals have to go through the process of acculturation after migrating to host lands. Acculturation which has been described, by theorists, in four different types: integration, assimilation, separation and marginalisation mould migrants and immigrants' lives accordingly in the host land. Differences in acculturation system between family members due to generational gaps sometimes create unfortunate and apprehensive environment. Indian queer individuals and community in United States face different challenges due to their ethnic, sexual and gender identity. These challenges further affect in their acculturation process in the host land. Their acculturation process starts even before their migration due to social and cultural stressors in homeland. Acculturation stressors are linked with socio-cultural and psychological health of diasporas.