This article examines stress derived from having a minority status & explores its effect of psychological distress in gay men. The article notes that minority stress in gay men is based on the premise that gay men live in a heterosexist society, being subjected to chronic stigmatization. The study addresses internal homophobia & the stigma that gay men experience. The article found that men who had high levels of minority stress were twice to three times as likely to suffer from high levels of distress. The article also found that such men were more likely to be suicidal. (88 refs.) (AK)