Why are many people in the U.S. so homophobic?

Question

Why does it matter?.Homosexuals are not sinners and the do not have a mental disease...they just have a different sexual preference. Why is that a big deal? Does it mean they should be treated as second class citizens and not be allowed to marry or have kids? I wish those homophobic people could experience being traeted the way that they are treating gay people in this country because maybe then they would reconsider.

Answer 1

They think it *is a sin - and they forget how it wasn't long ago that desegregation was sinful, and rock & roll was the devils music.

Answer 2

People naturally fear that which is different from them, that's a big reason. A second reason for this is how religious this country is and how traditional religious values regard homosexuality. Another reason is that America seems to be quite obsessed with sex and all issues relating to it (abortion, homosexuality, pornography, etc.)

I think there is something people find unsettling about the idea of possibly being loved by someone or something they hate very much from the core of their being. This is why homophobia might come off stronger than usual hatred or racism.

I won't judge homosexuality as right or wrong, it's not my place. But I will say that it is more than fear, it is an actual hatred.

Answer 3

It's partially a masculinity thing -- men don't like the idea that someone will think of them as a sexual object. It's like it's degrading or something. *coughcoughcoughcoughcough* (not that most gay men are attracted to most straight men, but they seem to think so).

Part of it is having someone to hate -- it feels good to be better than someone. Even if your life is terrible, at least you're not gay!

It also doesn't help that fundamentalist churches read the Bible literally (even when it contradicts itself). They like to condemn people for being evil sinners and ignore the parts about loving neighbors and such. See above.

And, similarly, it's about having someone to hate. If you can charge up enough resentment against a group (oh noes gay people make my marriage terrible!), you can channel that politically, such as in 2004. Ask any good villain (Saddam Hussein, Hitler, Castro, Stalin) -- having an enemy is a wonderful distraction.

And a big part of it is simple closed-mindedness and fear of things that are different.

Answer 4

Simple:

People = Sheep

Most people are unable to form thier own opinions about anything. They are told by religion or government that homosexuality is wrong, therefore, they think it is wrong.

What I really dont understand is why people care so much. If two men want to go and f*ck each other in the *ss, why is it your problem? YOU still get to go to heaven, and YOU still live a good life. How does it affect you that two women somewhere are eating each other out?

It doesnt. Personally, I have plenty of gay friends and straight friends. They're all cool, and there is nothing wrong with them.

Answer 5

That varies widely in America.

I know many people here (Texas) who have absolutely no problem with homosexuals.

I know several who have a "I don't have a problem with them as long as they don't flaunt it" attitude. (If I hold hands with my boyfriend, are we flaunting our HETEROsexuality?)

I know only a few people who just can't stand gays. Even they have a "live & let live" attitude. They are creeped out by the idea of homosexuals, but they can work with them & such.

And there are those who are conservatvie Christians. They believe the Bible when it says honosexuality is an "abomination." I grew up in a very conservative church so I have known MANY people like this through my life. And inspite of the stereotypes out there, these people usually don't hate gays. They just hate thier lifestyle. That sounds like a contridiction to many people, but I've been there. It is true.

Answer 6

I wish you get a dictionary and look up a few words.
Homosexuals are sinners just like the rest of us mortals deal with it.
Because I disagree with homosexuals doesn't mean I am in fear of them.

I treat homosexuals just like I want to be treated.

What I don't like is when people tell me that somehow I in fear of them.

Answer 7

It isn't just homophobia, but sex in general is viewed differently in the U.S. than in other countries of the world. In movies, for example, it is more acceptable to show someone's head getting blown off than to show their bum. To the rest of the world, this is gross. Another difference is in how how 'reverently' sex is viewed; there's no humor in it, no playfulness. It's like laughing in church. An off-color joke is generally considered disgusting. Perhaps the Christian right are responsible for these attitudes, I don't know. But it's not just homosexuals, it's sex in general.

Answer 8

I used to be a homophobe , but reality kinda took care of that.

Honestly, can anyone give me a good, tangible reason on how homosexuality harms yourself, your family, your children, your marriage, your country, or your society?

Oh, BTW for anyone who mentions it being unnatural there have been hundreds of species of animals who have been known to display homosexual behavior.

On Sodom and Gomorrah, those cities were not destroyed because of homosexuality. Fact: The Bible never alludes to homosexuality when referring back to Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their greed, inhospitality (raping any foreigner who enters, in order to assert dominance.), pride, idolatry, shunning of the poor, and of course angel rape. (Ezekiel 16, Matthew 10:11-15, Luke 10: 8-12, Jeremiah 23:14, Zephaniah 2:4-11) The Bible NEVER refers to homosexuality when referring to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Answer 9

When people explain why they're opposed to homosexuality, they usually say they're opposed to it on moral or religious grounds. My response to this is "so what." It tells me that the very root of this opposition is fear. People are afraid of what will happen if we allow gay marriage. They're scared, and they're maintaining their view out of fear and nothing else.

Answer 10

Aghhhh! I not homophobic and I think that from your response you should calm down a bit. You might think it is bad here but think you can always move to a place like Venezuela or Iran. I wonder how they treat homosexuals there. Either way it can't be as bad as here in the US. Yes you should move there.

Answer 11

I think the reason they don't have kids is >< and <> don't really make a kid well. it isn't possible.Sorry if you are gay or something. I think they can still adopt. I think it is allowed.
And they have something else called commitment ceremonies instead. It works out for them. I don't hear them on the news complaining much anyways.