Why is there such a stigma with being gay in the USA?

Question

I've always been attracted to men and never women, ever since my sex drive kicked into gear in my early teen years. It did take me a while to get used to it and it's still embarassing for some people to find out.

But why is there such a stigma? I know that a lot of religious people say "Because the Bible says blah blah blah...." But there's no rational reasoning in that. What is the real reason for the stigma?

Answer 1

When there is something that is 'different' that you personally do not like, and you can look through every Bible passage and find a certain quote that supports your position, you can both state that those people are wrong and that the Bible is on your side. The exact same thing happened in the mid 1800's because people wanted to have slaves and the Bible has passages that condone slavery. In the early part of the 20th century, many businesses in the US said "No Irish or Italian need apply" since they were Roman Catholic and the Pope and Catholic Saints were viewed as false idols. The reason for the stigma is that it is an unfortunate human characteristic to put others down in order to make oneself feel good. Someone can acknowledging their own faults and excuse them by saying "I know I shouldn't be this way, but at least I am not ___". As people gain knowledge, gay people will no longer be the target for bigotry, but I cannot help but wonder which class of people will be the next in line to be the objects of discrimination.

Answer 2

Leviticus in the Bible says man shall lay down with another man but it also says children shall not talk back to their parents and man shall not have sex with animals (not in those exact words). I think because men have anal sex there is a stigma. If you were gay, but didn't act on it maybe it would be more acceptable. Rev. Ted Haggard (founder of a super church) is a hypocrite and was concerned about maintaining a large, money-giving congregation. Some people consider oral sex between men and women immoral because it doesn't produce children. I am straight, married and childless so I wish I had a good answer for you.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, but rational or not (I, like you say NOT!) society does have Religion to thank for that awful stigma you live under, and the government just goes with the flow while taking Religion out of everything at the same time I might add! You are who you sweetie, live your life as you feel best doing so and hang what others say or think. I'm a Christian, but I refuse to believe in anything but a just and loving God who won't damn you for an act of birth. My husband and I are also very active Gay Rights Advocates. We both wish you all the best.

Answer 4

Things get voted on. That's how they're legalized in international locations that experience freedom and don't seem to be theocracies. Look at Amanda complaining approximately those cults and abuse of youngsters, which I definitely agree is disgusting, however it isn't any special than Mo taking a 6 yr historical as his spouse. It used to be abuse then additionally. True Christianity does not enable for polygamy or abuse of youngsters. Jesus stated anybody who hurts a youngster can pay. He stated kids make up the Kingdom of Heaven. God established the excellent thought of marriage with Adam and Eve and pronouncing husband and spouse emerge as one.

Answer 5

Short answer: It's a stigma because too many people are really stupid.

I honestly believe homophobia comes from straight men being afraid of turning gay. I'm straight, but I worked in theater for several years. Since I am secure in my choice, I don't care if I'm sitting next to someone who's gay or not.

On the other hand, I've watched other straight guys squirm sitting next to gay men, and the only thing that makes sense is they are afraid of finding something out about themselves they don't want to be true.

Similarly, the only women I've ever known who hated gay men were women who looked at gay men as competition.

The "stigma" is really just anyone else's excuse for their own prejudices. That there are enough people who hold this prejudice almost makes it acceptable to people.

Then again, that's also one of the basic tenets of fascism, and the number one reason my fellow Americans are always creeping me out so much.

Personally, I find it interesting that the people who claim homosexuality is immoral because it is sex that does not create life... do not decry condoms for straight people as loudly. Why isn't there a similar backlash for unmarried couples, or even just people who like to have sex but not babies? And what about homosexual couples that don't have sex? If they don't engage in a sexual relationship (I've known a lot of gay couples who are geeked out at the idea of sodomy) then does that mean people who toss out Bible quotes like candy will shut up and go away?

Answer 6

Because straight people (the majority) tell the gay people (the minority) that it's not ok to be gay. But in many of the european countries the stigma of being gay is rapidly being removed. It's not un-common to see two guys walking hand in hand down the streets of european cities. A few days ago I was watching a video made in the UK. It showed several highschool students openly discussing that it's ok with them that many of their friends are gay. And the video showed 2 gay highschool guys holding each other while the other straight students freely and openly accepted them as friends.

Answer 7

There is not nearly the stigma you have been led to believe. People of intelligence really don't give a damn about your sexuality...some people here obviously have NO intelligence (or job, for the looks of their always being on line bashing away). I am gay, very open about it, earn lots of money, have a great life, and it has nothing to do with being gay or straight...not an issue that needs to be brought up, is it?

Answer 8

That is the real reason, who ever said the puritans were rational? They were a large percentage of our early settlers, and eschewed any form of non-procreational sexual activity. That's the source of a lot of U.S social customs. It's why oral and anal sex between husband and wife were made illegal, it still is in many states and for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, as is the use of any position other than the Missionary.

Answer 9

That is the real reason for the stigma. We are a very puritanical nation, unable to grow very far beyond the bible based hysterias of our Pilgrim forefathers, afraid of nudity and everything to do with human sexuality, Hollywood notwithstanding. Homosexuality is particularly frightening because, I believe, to some extent, all humans are bi-sexual. We have sexual Preferences, but denied our prefered gender, our sex drives are so strong, that its easy to become aroused by someone of the non-preferred gender. People who are comfortable with their homosexuality frighten people who are heterosexual and completely unwilling to look at that small part of themselves could become attracted to the same gender, if a)they were denied all access to the opposite gender, or if b) the exact right person of the same gender were to come along.

Answer 10

my best friend is gay. and i was talking to my mom today. everyone is always like are you and so and so going out and people just cant see that hes gay even though it is just sooooo blatently obvious, we were will and grace for halloween. and still and i asked my mom today " how can people just not see it?" and she said," because they dont understand it, there not intune with the gay culture and community and are not apart of it, and they werent raised knowing about it therfore they dont understand it", and with that it let me realise why people are so hung up on gayness in america and wolnt leave the gay community alone. its kindof like when your a kid you really dont know about sex and subtle things lead you to put the pieces together and you want to figure out what it is and it becomes a topic often discussed amongst your peers. i dont know why that happens but it does. and i guess its the same reason gayness is such a hot issue in the us. because there are way too many people out there that just dont understand it.