On this page you will find:

1. Why homophobia hurts everyone
2. A model of homophobia
3. A questionnaire “flipping sides”
4. The role of oppression
5. Same-Sex Marriage
6. Miscellaneous

Adapted from Warren Blumenfeld

:· Homophobia and heterosexism cause 10% (estimate) of our society to face harassment, violence, secrecy and self-loathing for who they are.

· The United States is founded on the principals of "liberty and justice for all," "all men are created equal," "we, the people," and "the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." These concepts do not yet apply, for the most part, to persons who are gay.

Homophobia and heterosexism hurt everyone:

· Locks people into rigid gender-based roles that inhibit creativity and self- expression

· Pressures heterosexuals to treat gay persons badly and to thus compromise their own integrity and basic sense of humanity

· Inhibits ability of heterosexuals to form close friendships with persons of the same sex

· Limits family relationships

· Restricts communication with a large segment of society

· Keeps the country from realizing its ideals

· Causes some young people to have sex early so as to "prove" themselves straight, thus increasing the chances of pregnancy and of contracting sexually transmitted diseases

· Creates "reasons" for violent actions and harassment of a large segment of society

· Prevents heterosexuals from accepting the benefits, gifts and contributions of persons who are gay

· Inhibits appreciation and acceptance of diversity

· Inhibits productivity and close "team" relationships on the job.

· Takes its toll on people's ability to be productive and to participate fully in society

· Keeps people fearful of what they don't understand

Ways for Straight People to Help Reduce Homophobia

• Since it is possible that one out of ten persons is gay or lesbian, assume that someone in a group could be gay
• Notice how often you disclose that you are heterosexual without ever having to say the word.
• Wear pro-gay buttons.
• Read about gay issues.
• Attend gay events.
• Challenge homophobic jokes and comments
• Use inclusive language when referring to sexuality and relationships.
• Include sexual orientation as a category in discrimination and harassment policies.
• Encourage support groups for gays and their allies.
• Contact government officials in support of legislation providing equal rights to gay persons.
• Include material in educational situations about gay issues, experiences and homophobia

A Model of Homophobia:

• HOMOPHOBIA: The fear and hatred of those who love and desire persons of the same sex. It includes prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and acts of violence. Homophobia Scale: (adapted from Dorothy Riddle)

· REPULSION: being gay is seen as crazy, sick, immoral, wicked. Anything is justified to change the person or to get rid of them.
· PITY: Being heterosexual is seen as being more mature and certainly preferable. Feel sorry for gay persons
· ACCEPTANCE: Accept the person as a person, though the person's being gay is best left not talked about in any detail
· SUPPORT: Work to safeguard the equal rights of persons who are gay.
· ADMIRATION: Acknowledges that being gay in our society takes courage and strength. Willing to examine one's own attitudes and values
· APPRECIATION: Values the diversity of people and sees gay persons as a valid part of that diversity. Willing to combat homophobia in themselves and society.
· NURTURANCE: Assumes that gay persons are indispensable to society and view them with affection and love. Willing to be an ally and advocate.

• INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA: The experience of shame, guilt and even self-hatred in reaction to one's own feelings of attraction for a person of the same sex. This is society's homophobia applied to one's own self.
   
• HETEROSEXISM: The system of advantages bestowed upon heterosexual persons. It assumes that all persons are, or should be, heterosexual and therefore excludes the needs, concerns and life experiences of persons who are gay.
  

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  A Thought-Provoking Questionnaire adapted from Martin Rochlin

What do you think caused your heterosexuality?

When and how did you first choose to be heterosexual?

Is it possible that your heterosexuality is a phase you will grow out of?

Is it possible that you might change your sexual orientation some day?

Have you ever revealed your heterosexual tendencies to anyone? How did they react?

Why do heterosexuals try to persuade others into their lifestyle?

Were you recruited to be a heterosexual?

Why do heterosexuals flaunt their heterosexuality? Can't they just keep it to themselves?

A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexual. Do you consider it safe to expose children to these people?

Despite all the social support, legal support and religious support that marriage receives, 50% of all marriages end up in divorce. Why can't heterosexuals keep long-term relationships?

There seem to be so many unhappy heterosexuals. Have you ever considered trying therapy to help you change your orientation?

Is it possible your heterosexuality stems from a fear of persons of the same sex?

If you’ve never slept with someone of the same sex, is it possible you only need a good gay or lesbian lover to make you gay or lesbian?

Why are heterosexuals so obsessed with sex?

Considering the population problem, aren’t straight people ruining the world and using up all the resources?

Homophobia is a form of oppression.  In the culture of the United States, the groups that often face oppression include: women, poor persons, people of color, children, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, Jews and Muslims. Persons in the privileged group include: men. rich or middle class, adults, heterosexuals, able-bodied, Christians, whites. The oppression of gay persons is real. It is still legal in most places to fire someone gay, to deny housing or loans or credit, to prevent one partner from visiting the other who is in the hospital, to prevent the passing on of an estate to a surviving partner, and so much more. Oppression is real.  Oppression can also take the form of harassment, stereotyping, exclusion, lack of protection and other forms. Gays and lesbians experience oppression everyday of their lives.

Those who have privilege generally set the standard and laws that control those without privilege. The privileged see themselves as being normal and right, and the others as being wrong and immoral. The privileged enforce their rules with economic power, morality, law and even violence.

Those who are considered “targets” or “others” are usually lumped together as being weird, different, stereotyped, mysterious. The privileged often see the “others” as having the power to corrupt the norm.

Those who have power seldom willingly give it up.  Power must be won or taken.

One of the most volatile issues being debated today is over whether or not gay and lesbian persons should be allowed to marry. Following are some “snippets” of information given me by Heather Woodford, a college student who researched this issue for a speech in early 2002.  On the “links” page I include several sites she recommends for a more complete look at this important issue.

• Hawaii, in 1993, was the first state to declare that marriage is a state, rather than a faith-based, institution.  The Hawaii Supreme Court ordered the state to provide for equality of all its citizens.
• As a response to the Hawaii case, the federal Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  This act states that (1) the federal government does not recognize marriage between same-sex couples, (2) states can decide for themselves whether they will perform and allow for civil unions which grant some legal rights to gay couples already enjoyed by straight couples in marriage, (3) each state can decide for itself whether or not it will recognize civil unions performed in another state.
• Vermont is the only state in the nation that performs and recognizes civil unions between same-sex couples. 
• Some states, such as Oregon, have taken legal action moving toward civil unions or at least equal rights with straight couples. Thirty-six states have created their own version of DOMA so as to prevent equality and marriage.
• Some cities and companies allow registration of same-sex couples though this registration does not necessarily grant legal rights.  Many other companies and cities prevent such registration and/or do not allow benefits and rights enjoyed by straight couples (e.g. pension, death benefits, insurance, hospital visitation, etc.)
• It is estimated that married persons are granted over 1000 federal rights not given to gay couples.
• The Netherlands is the only country to offer full marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples.  Canada has ruled that the definition of “spouse” must include same-sex couples.

In short, those persons pushing for marriage rights are not asking for special rights, but for equal rights.

Miscellaneous:

• Nowhere in the United States can gays and lesbians marry.  Vermont grants a civil union which gives gays and lesbians some of the rights and responsibilities enjoyed by straight persons, but these do not apply outside the state.
• Several other countries have worked to erase many of the legal differences between gay and straight persons. The United States is actually near the bottom of the list of “first world countries” when it comes to granting basic human rights to those who are gay or lesbian.
• Gays and lesbians, in many places, may be denied basic rights granted to straight persons that apply to employment, housing, marriage, adoption, inheritance of property and retirement benefits, hospital visitation, and many other areas of life.