Why is it some people are very homophobic, what causes them to become like that? Why does Homophobia exist in the first place, why do people care, in what way does it affect them?! Does it harm their health?! Is it only me that finds homophobia defies logic???!
2007-01-24 00:21:55 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Sorry about the tittle, but I wanted to get this question as much attention as possible.
2007-01-24 00:26:03 · update #1
This link is an excellent text regarding homophobia and heterosexism. It's worth a read.
http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/sexual_prejudice.html
2007-01-24 00:49:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I remember being in an RE lesson when I was 14 talking to a very homophobic boy. He had no problem with lesbians but he hated gay men he said if he knew one he would at the very least cross the street and if he had to be in the same room he would sit as far away as possible.
Without thinking (I'm not totally sure why I said it) I said "What are you afraid he'd rape you?" His face told me everything I needed to know although he denied it he was deadly scared that his "protection" wouldn't matter if the man was gay.
As a female I am generally aware that this is a fact that could happen, as a male it was obviously something that preyed on his mind when this got thrown into the equation.
It probably isn't the same for all homophobes but it seemed to be for this one. Then there is the old adage of they are afraid they are gay themselves of which often I believe this is the case
2007-01-24 08:45:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that some people are ignorant; but I kinda just thought of a fip side. You can out people completely for disliking something. It is a natural thing; just how like someone liking someone of the same sex is natural. I know It bothers me to to see a couple (hetero or not) when they are making out in public..does that mean I'm a bad person. If you want to change the world and stop it from being ignorant you can't just deal with it; that's logical. This is even more logic for ya- Start with yourself be ignorant of people who are Homophobic; and let the world just got...NOW THAT"S LOGIC!!
2007-01-24 08:40:07 · answer #3 · answered by nor2006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay , I read it.
Ignorance and intolerance are two reasons for people being homophobic.
Lack of education/ unwillingness to learn/ mis-education are the causes.
It exists because people feel very protected by their own sphere of understanding, and threatened by anything outside their sense of normality.
It is precisely because they don't care (to know or understand) that they care to make an issue of it.
It affects them only insofar as they perceive it to be outwith their sense of normality.
Strictly speaking, no, it doesn't affect their health. Although it is quite possible that some homophobe in a fit of apoplexy could suffer a stress-induced condition (headache, heart attack, stroke...) which could be attributed to their apoplectic reaction to some homosexual behaviour they encountered.
It defies your logic because your knowledge-base includes an understanding of homosexuality. Those who are homophobic do not have that understanding and so their logic is not defied by their being homophobic.
2007-01-24 08:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by unclefrunk 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people are just positive that they are right about straight being the ONLY WAY and they can't stand it when people tell them that being different is okay, they have the mentality "my way or the highway" and anybody that is different is wrong, no if's and's or but's. They feel safe in their own little world and don't want to try new things because then they views that they grew up with that being gay is wrong (that is how I was raised but my parents also taught me to have an open mind) and that is all there is to it. They just don't want to grow as people and take on new and different ways of thinking and that is sad. :((
2007-01-24 10:53:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find that the most homophobic people are the self-hating, paranoid closet queens and to a lesser degree the sanctimonious religious zealots who have this uncontrollable need to shove their opinions down other people's throats. Most normal straight people that I know don't really care if someone's gay. They don't obsess over it. I think that carrying around all that hatred and anger does affect one's health.
2007-01-24 09:09:51 · answer #6 · answered by DawnDavenport 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the real reason is...they are gay or a little gay ..I as homophobic..and now I am bi...it bothered me ..I felt less of a man..men shouldn't want to have sex with other men..but when you feel these feelings you get angry at your self..I never did any thing to anyone..but I did hate gays for it..you see if they weren't there ..then you wouldn't be queer..there is no other reason..unless they just need some one to hate..because they are little cowards and hate them self's for being nothing more than shyt...they like to use religion as an excuse..but they don't follow god at all..
2007-01-24 08:31:45 · answer #7 · answered by Kingofreportedabuse 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it's because people are scared and angry at things they don't understand. If it wasn't gays, it would be something else. Some people just have to have someone or group to hate, Sad people that they are.
2007-01-24 08:54:33 · answer #8 · answered by ron s 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tittle??? 8)
2007-01-24 10:15:08 · answer #9 · answered by david f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say mostly ignorance and fear. possibly bad parenting (being raised by parents who are homophobes/bigots). they claim we "choose" to be gay/lesbian, which is complete rubbish. do they choose to be stupid? they CAN choose to educate themselves...learn FACTS and quit believing in lies and stereotypes, but do they do it? of course, if the DID educate themselves, they'd find that the truth doesn't back up their hatred. so, do they "choose" to hate? none of it makes sense to me.
2007-01-24 08:27:31 · answer #10 · answered by redcatt63 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋