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Safe Zone Project
Understanding Homophobia |
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(From the Campaign to End Homophobia)
HOMOPHOBIA: The fear of feelings of love for members of one's own sex and therefore the hatred of those feelings in others.
HETEROSEXISM: The belief in the inherent superiority of one pattern of loving and thereby its right to dominance.
PERSONAL HOMOPHOBIA is prejudice. It is the personal belief that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are sinful, immoral, sick, inferior to heterosexuals, or incomplete men and women. Prejudice towards any group is learned behavior; people have to be taught to be prejudiced.
Personal homophobia is sometimes experienced as the fear of being perceived as lesbian, gay or bisexual, out of the fear that one will be treated as if they were sinful, immoral, sick or inferior. This fear can lead to trying to prove one's heterosexuality. anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or preference, can family members; co-workers are distinct and colt to lesbian and gay employees; lesbians and gay men are in some states legally prevented from becoming foster parents and attempts have been made to fire lesbian or gay teachers.
INTERPERSONAL HOMOPHOBIA is the activated fear, dislike or hatred of people believed to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual. This hatred or dislike may be expressed by name-calling, verbal and physical harassment, and individual acts of discrimination.
Lesbians, gay, and bisexual people are regularly attacked for no other reason than their
assailants’ homophobia. Most people act out their fear of lesbians and gay men in non-violent,
more commonplace ways. Relatives often shun their lesbian and gay family members;
co-workers are distinct and cold to lesbian and gay employees; lesbians and gay men are in some
states legally prevented from becoming foster parents and attempts have been made to fire lesbian or gay teachers.
INSTITUTIONAL HOMOPHOBIA (or HETEROSEXISM) refers to the many ways in which government, businesses, churches and other institutions and organizations discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation. These organizations and institutions set policies, allocate resources, and maintain unwritten standards for the behavior of their members in ways which discriminate.
For example, most religious organizations have stated policies against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people holding offices; most schools fail or refuse to allocate funds and staff for lesbian, gay, and bisexual support groups; and most businesses have norms for social events which prevent lesbian, gay and bisexual employees from bringing their significant others/partners while heterosexual employers are encouraged to bring their opposite sexed partners.
CULTURAL HOMOPHOBIA (or HETEROSEXISM) refers to the social standards and norms which
dictate that being heterosexual is better or more moral than being lesbian or gay, and that
everyone is heterosexual or should be. While these standards are not written down as such,
they re spelled out each day in television shows and print advertisements where virtually
every character is heterosexual and every sexual relationship involves a female and a male;
or in the assumption made by most adults in social situations that all "normal" children
will eventually be attracted to and marry a person of the other sex. Often, heterosexuals
don't realize that these standards exists, while lesbian, gay and bisexual people are
acutely aware of the standards. The feeling which results is one of being an outsider
in the society and can further perpetuate a sense of isolation from self and others.
DEVELOPING A NON-HOMOPHOBIC ATMOSPHERE
(Decreasing Heterosexism)
1. Encourage/attend/provide activities which focus on --and/or --include people who are GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (don't assume heterosexuality of all persons participating)
2. Encourage regular discussion about GLBT issues at staff meetings
3. Develop an updated library/resource area of books, articles,
periodicals (next to your texts from school, have books on GLBT issues prominent/ have your waiting area have GLBT books prominent)
3a. include GLBT people in posters, pamphlets, and mailings (don't assume "audience" is heterosexual when using pictures, posters, and images to display events, activities, and news)
4. Refuse to tolerate homophobic attitudes, remarks, or actions
5. Develop GLBT sensitive language
do not assume heterosexuality
avoid using pronouns that assume the gender of the partner or friend
use inclusive examples that specifically address GLBT issues
use terms such as partner/lover/significant other instead of spouse/wife/husband/boyfriend
6. Post available updated listings of groups, activities, programs, and services around GLBT issues
7. Display GLBT images in artwork, flyers, pictures, and pamphlets
8. Display a pink and black triangle on the outside and inside office doors
9. Don't assume someone who "looks gay" or "lesbian" is therefore gay or lesbian.
10. Use the words "Lesbian," "Gay," and "Bisexual" --everyday-- in a positive way.
11. Monitor the posters and media for GLBT themed events and programs and ATTEND!
12. How could YOU make a difference?
From Kathy Obear's OPENING DOORS TO UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE,
Campaign to End Homophobia, and from the COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S
Recommendations on the Support and Safety of Gay and Lesbian Students, 1993
Correcting Myths and Misconceptions
Understanding Homophobia
Events/Resources
Committee Members
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