Rejection Sensitivity

Gay Men Going Deeper · Jul 31, 2025 · 1h · transcript

Why do so many gay men struggle with deep fears of rejection—whether in dating, friendships, or even at work? In this episode, we’re unpacking rejection sensitivity: where it comes from, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it can feel so intense for us.

Some of the topics we cover:

The early roots of rejection sensitivity (hint: it starts young)

How social norms, internalized homophobia, and shame wire us for hypervigilance

The impact of dating app culture and body-focused rejection

Signs you might be stuck in a rejection sensitivity loop

Practical ways to heal and build resilience

If…