GRSJ224/Homophobia

Homophobia is defined as an irrational fear towards individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer (LGBTQ) amongst other identifying names that refer to sexual orientation. Homophobia can also be described as an intense hatred of members of the LGBTQ population. Homophobia can also be related to religious beliefs. Homophobia may be exhibited overtly or covertly and it may also be institutionalized. Homophobia is a product of heterosexism. Homophobia is often referred to as a fear of people who are gay or who do not socially conform to ideals of heterosexuality ie: man marrying a woman. Due to the innate distain embedded in homophobia, it can cause psychological issues for those who are homosexual because they not only experience it from society they also experience it themselves as individuals either internally or externally.

Two types of Homophobia

Homophobia can be broken down into two primary types.

Internalized Homophobia

Internalized homophobia refers to the process through which people who are a part of the LGBTQ community come to believe the dominant perspectives held by society which are usually negative. Due to the fact that we live within a patriarchal, heteronormative society the mainstream belief is that there is a problem with anyone who falls outside the heteronormative ideals ie: man marries a woman. Dominant perspectives are often harmful towards LGBTQ people and they in turn come to internalize those perspectives. Long term these societal assumptions and engrained perspectives can have a damaging effect on members of the LGBTQ community. People who are gay may experience internalized homophobia may in the form of feelings of from their parents based on their sexual orientation. Homophobia is a damaging process that impacts the self-esteem and self worth of people who identify as LGBTQ. Although they may not realize it people who are not LGBTQ are also impacted by assumptions of heterosexuality, which influences homophobia.

Externalized Homophobia

Externalized homophobia is related to the internalized form. Externalized homophobia is a form of homophobia in which members of society demonstrate disdain and fear of individuals or communities of people who identify as LGBTQ. Externalized homophobia occurs when people act upon their negative assumptions about people who are gay. They may use negative language towards them or shun them from social encounters. Both internalized and externalized are not mutually exclusive and they can have long-term psychological impacts for those who experience it.

Statistic

Homophobia is engrained into our societal assumptions. Due patriarchal and heterosexist social structures these assumptions are perpetuated in every way we interact as a society which in turn leads to harm towards people who are part of the LGBTQ community. According to The Gay British Crime Survery: One in six lesbian, gay and bi people have experienced a homophobic or bi-phobic hate crime or incident over the last three years. Two-thirds of those experiencing a hate crime or incident did not report it to anyone. Fewer than one in 10 victims who reported hate crimes and incidents to the police said it led to a conviction. A quarter (26 per cent) of lesbian, gay and bi people alter their behaviour to hide their sexual orientation to avoid being the victim of a hate crime. 38 per cent of trans people have experienced physical intimidation and threats and 81 per cent have experienced silent harassment (e.g. being stared at/whispered about). When people have these experiences it in turn influences the way they view themselves. Additionally these perspectives perpetuate negative societal ideas about what it means to be gay. In this sense it is essential to mitigate the dissemination of these notions in order to create a more equal society.

Homophobia in Canada

Homophobia can cause long term psychological effects on those who experience it particularly in the case of young people. A survey done in 2011 indicates that young women, contrary to popular belief are more targeted by their peers for being LGBTQ than boys. Additionally almost 10% of students who identified as LGBTQ experienced some harassment linked to their sexual orientation. Due to the engrained negative assumptions about LGBTQ people this necessitates action on the part of community groups and government.

Campaign to fight with Homophobia

In response to homophobia an organization called Egale, fights for the equal rights of LGBTQ people in Canada. Egale was founded in 1995 as Canada’s only national charity to promote equal rights for LGBTQ individuals through research, education and community engagement. The group’s vision is to work towards a Canada in which there is no discrimination based on sexual orientation.

References

Jeongeun (Ellen) Lee