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Homophobia I

Homophobia in the Western World

Chris Bullins

Essay

Homophobia II

The word homophobia was used in its modern meaning in 1972 by George Weinberg in his book Society and the Healthy Homosexual, one year before the American Psychiatric Association voted to remove homosexuality from their list of mental disorders (Freedman). Homophobia defined is the dislike, fear of, and discrimination against homosexuals and homosexuality.1 It is worth noting the Greek meaning of homo is the same. So homophobia in that sense would be fear of the same. The Latin meaning of homo is of course human, and with the Greek ending phobia fear of, (Herek, Gregory M.) might help to make a little more sense. Homophobia can be found throughout all areas of history in the Western World (Fone 3). In the 14-1500s conquerors of the Americas often used eradicating the sodomites as reasoning behind conquering Native America lands. Native Americans revered their two spirit people, and believed in their healing and spiritual powers. These people were often chiefs and medicine men of entire tribes (Fone 320-326). Not so long ago during World War II, Nazi Germany killed an estimated 15,000 homosexuals in their concentration camps by wars end in 1945 (Crompton 533). Today around 40 states in the United States allow homosexuals to be fired without cause (Fone 416). Fifty-four percent of Americans believe homosexuality to be a sin; even more believe it to be morally wrong. Roughly forty-percent of Americans believe relations between two same sex consenting adults should be illegal (Fone 420).

http://www.meriam-webster.com/dictionary/homophobia

Homophobia III Additionally, internalized homophobia is the fear of ones self being homosexual.2 The result is clinical depression. There are alarmingly high numbers of gay teenagers that commit suicide each year as a result (Planned Parenthood). It is common knowledge amongst homosexuals throughout history that many of the loudest opponents are in fact repressed homosexuals (Fone 6). There are, however, many champions against homophobia. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) a reformer-writer-philosopher protested the executions of homosexuals, and had often written on the subject, but many of his works were unpublished for about two centuries! His ideas were however utilized by Napoleon of France, and Cortes in Spain, as well as republics in South and Central America (Crompton 530-533). In the Twentieth Century we have the likes of Coretta Scott King who said Homophobia is like racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity, and personhood. (Chicago Defender, 1998, front page) The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community come together in public expressions against homophobia, usually once a year in gay pride parades in their respected communities. Unfortunately the media usually only showcases big haired drag queens, and leather daddies, a small segment of the entire community, but yielding more negative opinions none the less.3 The 1999 murder of twenty-one year old college student Matthew Shepard, by two homophobes (those who fear, and discriminate against homosexuals)4; stands as a testament to homophobias existence in the United States (Fone 12-13).

2 3

http://www.allwords.com/word-internalized+homophobia.html http://en.wikipedia.org/gay_pride 4 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination and Conflicts from Planned Parenthood

Homophobia IV Legislation at state level such as hate speech, hate crimes bills, and laws against discrimination have been somewhat effective (Fone 418), however, there is always much more work to be done to educate people that homosexuals only want to coexist with the same equal human rights that have been denied them far too long. George Weinberg describes the word homophobia as a medical phobia: a phobia about homosexuals. It was fear of homosexuals which seemed to be associated with fear of contagion, a fear of reducing the things one fought for home and family. It was a religious fear and it had led to great brutality as fear always does (Herek, Gregory M. 2-24). Homophobia alienates mothers and fathers from sons and daughters, friend from friend, neighbor from neighbor, and Americans from one another. So long as it is legitimated by society, religion, and politics, homophobia will spawn hatred, contempt, and violence, and it will remain our last accepted prejudice (Fone 421).

Homophobia V Works Cited Chicago Defender, front page, April, 1998 Compton, Louis. Homosexuality and Civilization Fone, Byrne. Homophobia: A History Metropolitan: Holt. August 15, 2000. Freedman Alfred M. Recalling APAs Historic Step, APA News. Herek, Gregory M. (April 2004). Beyond Homophobia: Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century. Sexuality Research and Social Policy 1. Weinberg, George. Society and the Healthy Homosexual. New York: St. Martins. 1972. Homophobia. Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia Web Page. June 27, 2012.

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