How can you help to reduce homophobia?

Question

For one, you can hop over to this website and and vote for "We Belong," a documentary about two kids who were bullied at school for being gay. The producers have promised that the entire $100,000 prize will be directed to programs to reduce homophobia in our schools. Registration and voting are free.

http://www.current.tv/make/vc2/sot

Anyway, that being said... any other ideas?

To Belloashadonna: While I admire the passion of your perspective, I think there is a world of difference between taking action to combat homophobia and assuming responsibility for homophobic behavior. Since I am certainly *not* one for blaming the victim, I can only suppose that you took offense at my question because you misunderstood it. Perhaps I did not make my own position on this matter clear enough; my apologies.

Answer 1

It is not up to me as a gay man to reduce homophobia. What you are suggesting is that victims should be responsible for hate crimes commited against them, which I find to be offensive.

The onus is on the perpetraitors of violence, harrassment and ignorance against gays and lesbians to enlighten themselves after being shamed for their stupidity.

You can not 'combat' homophobia - just manage negative impact of homophobic abuse - homophobes act out of fear and ignorance. You can't combat ignorance because ignorance is the deliberate denial to inform oneself of the truth. You can't 'combat' a person's desire to be ignorant if they persist on being ignorant - ignorance serves to benefit those who are ignorant.

You can only re-adjust the perspective of the 'victim' so they don't feel victimized. Empower victims of hate crimes to not take abuse to heart.

There will always be homophobia - we are a minority. We always will be. It is very naive of you to think that we will be accepted by the majority of straight people.

The Religious Right and 'moral majority' ( I assume you're American) lobby groups in your country are what produces homophobia. The Bible is homophobic. The only way to 'reduce' homophobia is to educate 'Christians'. But you can't educate the uneducatable. So homophobia is here to stay, I'm afraid. It does not bother me. Why? "It is not what you call me, but what I answer to that counts". Think about it.

Answer 2

From what I see that Homophobia stems from is a lack of education in the fact that we are all human and we all have different life styles. And those life styles should be accepted openly.

I see it too often, even here in these forums, that we are surrounded by ignorant people with small minds that don't know any better.

I think if there was more education to the fact that some people are Gay, Bi or transgendered (transsexuals and crossdressers), and we mean no one any harm, then things would be better for everyone. Tolerance is not the word, but acceptance is.

Answer 3

I do not believe there is any quick way to reduce homophobia. I found out just a couple of weeks ago that my step-mother (who i thought was fine with it) was saying it was un-natural behind my back. I think the only real way to get rid of it is by showing others that we are everywhere and we are not leaving, no matter what is said. One way that i have found that works, is that because i am not flamboyant i will let people get to know me before i tell them i am gay. My best friend claimed to be homophobic when we first met, but now he sees that gay people are just like everyone else. I know its going to be a long battle but it is well worth it. The one thing you have to keep in mind is that not everyone will change, there will always be people who hate gay people, for example if you go into the deep south, racism is still very prominate against everyone who is not white. I hope this helped you think up a way to change minds and if you ever find a fool proof plan email it to me.

Answer 4

Education is the key. Tolerance, rather I should say acceptance and respect are what needs to be given to the gay community.

How you will earn that in schools is a bit tricky to answer. Kids can be so cruels and unforgiving towards any indefference to the norm. Whether it be sexual orientation, colour of your skin, maybe a birthmark or even eduactional or financial status.

If you have a lot more open gay role models, celebrities, musicians, actors, etc stc, people they can relate to, then the task at hand would be a lot easier. If they see these people on the tv, hear their songs on the radio, and are emmersed (and embraced) in the gay community, then everyone's attitude will change.

.....I think lol

Answer 5

I think that when gay people are out & proud (not in a Queer Nation way) it shows that we are not ashamed of who we are. If we continue to let people make us feel bad about the way we love then we continue to foster homophobia in the world.

By the way I have nothing against Queer Nation. I think that every movement needs their extremist, but the straight society also needs to see that most of us are just like them except for who we love and choose to spend out life with.

Answer 6

nicely, thats basically highschool for you... I dont comprehend in case you're able to do plenty. communicate on your theory approximately commencing a GSA. in the experience that your college is something like mine became, it might basically be protested against and extra away... yet whilst it stay around it could be a reliable place for LGBT pupils to speak and look at out to cut back homophobia in college

Answer 7

You've gotten plenty of fair abstract answers. But I have a simple concrete action I take: When someone I know says "That's so gay", I say "Dont be an asshole, it's not gay." Simple as that. It doesn't change the world, but every little bit helps.

Answer 8

I think you can reduce homophobia by Coming Out to friends and family because then they'll realized that someone close to them is homosexual and they'll most likely reframe from being homophobic.

Answer 9

The only thing I v=can say, I know this woun't probably help, but being open, honest and sticking to your guns and not letting anyone tell you anything that you know is not true!!

Answer 10

I try to seduce as many "straight" guys as I can. It's my hobby, most of them are very satisfied when done. That may sound sick but, there's nothing wrong with making someone feel good. I will visit the web site you suggested. Good luck!