Homophobia is pervasive in this and many other societies. Because we are all
products of our society, most of us are homophobic, regardless of our sexual
orientation.Assume that you are homophonic.
Dealing constructively with homophobia first requires an acknowledgement of
its pervasive existence. We cannot easily eradicate our homophobic feelings,
but if we are willing to acknowledge that we are all homophobic, then we can
begin to take responsibility for our choices and change our behaviors.
In addition to assuming the everpresence of homophobia, we can do the
following:
Identify homophobia, not homosexuality, as
the problem to be addressed. In conversations with friends and colleagues,
speak out about homophobia. For many people, the only time that they talk about
lesbian, gay, and bisexual people is in the context of homophobic 'jokes.'
Think about the similarities and
differences between homophobia and other forms of oppression. Use what you
know about racism, sexism, classism, etc., to better understand homophobia and
to look for ways to respond to homophobia.
Listen to the experiences of lesbian, gay,
and bisexual people and assume that their experience with oppression Is valid.
Similarly, assume that the ways in which lesbian, gay, and bisexual people
experience the world are different from the ways in which heterosexuals
experience the world.
Actively support anti-discrimination
efforts, as well as campaigns to stop homophobic prejudice and violence.
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteI think you are right in a way when you say that we are all homophobic. I think of how often people use the word "gay" as a negative term in their conversations without realizing the impact of it.
Your idea of talking about homophobia in conversations reminds me of what we learned in class about the "invisibility" of certain groups such as homosexuals. If we do not talk about gay people and their rights they will continue to be kept hidden and as a result marginalized by society.
Also, I like how you talk about addressing homophobia, not homosexuality, as the problem. Too often we are focused on whether homosexuality is "right" or not, when we should be focusing on allowing everyone the freedom to express their sexual orientation.
Hey Mike- I respect you're point of view on this subject, but I slightly disagree on the point that everyone is homophobic. People may be uncomfortable or unfirmiliar with the newly acceptance of "gay", but that doesn’t define them as homophobic. Respectively we all have our own opinions and I respect yours. I strongly agree with you're point on how individuals are not taking the realism of "gays" and there acceptance into society seriously.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, I agree and also disagree on this post to a extent. I disagree that we are all homophobic, some people may be and some may be unfamiliar with expose to a LGBT couple but that doesn't mean that they are homophobic.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a right and wrong time to talk about it with friends and family. I don't expect to talk about my sexuality at anytime and I would expect for the same of LGBT. But I do strongly agree with supporting them on pride day ect, to get there acceptance as a society.