What is Homophobia?
Image provided by Florida Department of Health 'Man-Up' Initiative.
Homophobia in general refers to negative feelings or attitudes towards gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gender or queer people. There is no single definition for the term 'homophobia', but in general, is used to describe a fear of homosexuals which sometimes can lead to hostility and discrimination that is often experienced by many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender (LGBT) people. (1) Homophobia manifests itself in different forms, for example homophobic jokes, physical attacks, discrimination in the workplace and media representation. (2) Generally homophobia surfaces as hatred, disparagement, hostility, and rejection of people considered to be gay or lesbian and of things associated with them, especially against people whose appearance and behavior do not fit male or female gender stereotypes. (10)
Homophobia continues to be a major barrier to ending the global AIDS epidemic. Homophobia, stigma, and discrimination persist in the United States and negatively affect the health and well-being of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and other members of the LGBT community. In the United Sates, stigma and discrimination, prevent men who have sex with men from accessing vital HIV prevention, treatment and care services.
Homophobia and stigma persist in the United States even though acceptance of same-sex relationships has been steadily increasing. For example, a Gallup Poll (6) conducted in May 2010 found that more than half (52%) of Americans believed that gay and lesbian relationships were acceptable. Forty-three percent of Americans believed that gay and lesbian relationships are not morally acceptable. (3)
Homophobia continues to be a major barrier to ending the global AIDS epidemic. Homophobia, stigma, and discrimination persist in the United States and negatively affect the health and well-being of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and other members of the LGBT community. In the United Sates, stigma and discrimination, prevent men who have sex with men from accessing vital HIV prevention, treatment and care services.
Homophobia and stigma persist in the United States even though acceptance of same-sex relationships has been steadily increasing. For example, a Gallup Poll (6) conducted in May 2010 found that more than half (52%) of Americans believed that gay and lesbian relationships were acceptable. Forty-three percent of Americans believed that gay and lesbian relationships are not morally acceptable. (3)
AIDS Activist Phill Wilson Works Tirelessly
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The Effects of Negative Attitudes About Homosexuality
Negative attitudes about homosexuality can lead to rejection by friends and family, discriminatory acts and violence that harm specific individuals, and laws and policies that adversely affect the lives of many people; this can have damaging effects on the health of MSM and other sexual minorities. Homophobia, stigma and discrimination can: (3)
· Limit MSM’s ability to access high quality health care that is responsive to health issues of MSM
· Affect income, employment status, and the ability to get and keep health insurance
· Contribute to poor mental health and unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and suicide attempts
· Affect MSM’s ability to establish and maintain long-term same-sex relationships that reduce HIV & STD risk
· Make it difficult for some MSM to be open about same-sex behaviors with others, which can increase stress, limit social support, and negatively affect health
The effects of homophobia, stigma and discrimination can be especially hard on adolescents and young adults. Young MSM and other sexual minorities are at increased risk of being bullied in school. They are also at risk of being rejected by their families and, as a result, are at increased risk of homelessness. A study published in 2009 compared gay, lesbian, and bisexual young adults who experienced strong rejection from their families with their peers who had more supportive families. The researchers found that those who experienced stronger rejection were: (3)
· 8.4 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide
· 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression
· 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs
· 3.4 times more likely to have risky sex
· Limit MSM’s ability to access high quality health care that is responsive to health issues of MSM
· Affect income, employment status, and the ability to get and keep health insurance
· Contribute to poor mental health and unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and suicide attempts
· Affect MSM’s ability to establish and maintain long-term same-sex relationships that reduce HIV & STD risk
· Make it difficult for some MSM to be open about same-sex behaviors with others, which can increase stress, limit social support, and negatively affect health
The effects of homophobia, stigma and discrimination can be especially hard on adolescents and young adults. Young MSM and other sexual minorities are at increased risk of being bullied in school. They are also at risk of being rejected by their families and, as a result, are at increased risk of homelessness. A study published in 2009 compared gay, lesbian, and bisexual young adults who experienced strong rejection from their families with their peers who had more supportive families. The researchers found that those who experienced stronger rejection were: (3)
· 8.4 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide
· 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression
· 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs
· 3.4 times more likely to have risky sex
 Image provided by Florida Department of Health 'We Make The Change' Campaign. |
 LOVE > HATE Poster from 'Greater Than AIDS' Campaign |
What Causes People to be Prejudiced Against Gay and Lesbian People?
There are many factors that can cause a person to be homophobic. Research has shown that prejudice against gay people and homosexuality can be influenced by having strong religious beliefs that disapprove of homosexuality, or having little or no social contact with people who are gay. (4) However it is not possible to identify exactly what causes a person to be homophobic, as many different influences form a person's attitudes. Different people grow up exposed to similar beliefs about sexuality but form quite different attitudes towards gay men and lesbians. (1)
Prejudice Among Young People
Young people often use words associated with homosexuality as standard insults, reinforcing the conception that it is highly undesirable to be gay. (5) This can silence young people who are experiencing gay feelings and stop them from coming out, and even encourage young gay men to pretend to be heterosexual and join in homophobic taunts to protect themselves. Many gay and lesbian adults who began to identify themselves as 'different' in their school years say that the absence of support, understanding or information was sometimes a source of distress in itself and often magnified their anxieties. (1)
Ron Simmons Interview on HIV from
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The Effects of Homophobia
Image provided by Florida Department of Health
'Man-Up' Initiative.
There are many different ways in which LGBT people experience homophobia, including malicious gossip, name-calling, intimidating looks, internet bullying, vandalism and theft of property, discrimination at work, isolation and rejection, sexual assault, or even being sentenced to death. All forms of homophobia are destructive, not just for people living openly as LGBT, but for society as a whole. (2)
Living in a homophobic environment forces many LGBT people to conceal their sexuality, for fear of the negative reactions and consequences of coming out. (7) For people who have been brought up to believe that homosexuality is wrong, the realization that they might be gay can cause feelings of shame and self-loathing, leading to low self-esteem. Suppressing homosexuality involves denying an important part of a person's identity, and can have a serious impact upon their life and relationships. Furthermore, the dilemma of whether to ‘come out’ or not can cause a great deal of personal distress. (8)
LGBT people who make the decision to declare their sexual orientation can face prejudice and discrimination from their family, friends, and also from wider society. Homophobia can cause extreme harm and disruption to people's lives. For example, many LGBT people have become homeless as a result of being rejected by their families after revealing their sexual orientation. In the US, between 20 and 40 percent of young homeless people are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. (9)
Living in a homophobic environment forces many LGBT people to conceal their sexuality, for fear of the negative reactions and consequences of coming out. (7) For people who have been brought up to believe that homosexuality is wrong, the realization that they might be gay can cause feelings of shame and self-loathing, leading to low self-esteem. Suppressing homosexuality involves denying an important part of a person's identity, and can have a serious impact upon their life and relationships. Furthermore, the dilemma of whether to ‘come out’ or not can cause a great deal of personal distress. (8)
LGBT people who make the decision to declare their sexual orientation can face prejudice and discrimination from their family, friends, and also from wider society. Homophobia can cause extreme harm and disruption to people's lives. For example, many LGBT people have become homeless as a result of being rejected by their families after revealing their sexual orientation. In the US, between 20 and 40 percent of young homeless people are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. (9)
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References
1. Avert Website: Homophobia, Prejudice & Attitudes to Gay Men and Lesbians-What Is Homophobia. (2010)
2. The Campaign to End Homophobia Website: 'Homophobia'. (Their website is no longer functioning)
3. CDC Website: Gay and Bisexual Men's Health-Stigma and Discrimination. (2010, October 28th)
4. Stonewall, 'Understanding Prejudice: Attitudes Towards Minorities'. (2004)
5. Lelleri R, 'Schoolmates Project: Transnational Research on Homophobic Bullying in Schools'. (2007, November)
6. Gallup Website: Americans' Acceptance of Gay Relations Crosses 50% Threshold. (2010, May 25th)
7. Washington Post, 'In the Bible Belt, Acceptance is Hard-Won', (2004, September 26th)
8. American Psychological Association Website: Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality. (2010)
9. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 'Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Youth: Any Epidemic of Homelessness', (2007, January 30th)
10. Fondation Émergence, International Day Against Homophobia website: International Day Against Homophobia. (2011)
1. Avert Website: Homophobia, Prejudice & Attitudes to Gay Men and Lesbians-What Is Homophobia. (2010)
2. The Campaign to End Homophobia Website: 'Homophobia'. (Their website is no longer functioning)
3. CDC Website: Gay and Bisexual Men's Health-Stigma and Discrimination. (2010, October 28th)
4. Stonewall, 'Understanding Prejudice: Attitudes Towards Minorities'. (2004)
5. Lelleri R, 'Schoolmates Project: Transnational Research on Homophobic Bullying in Schools'. (2007, November)
6. Gallup Website: Americans' Acceptance of Gay Relations Crosses 50% Threshold. (2010, May 25th)
7. Washington Post, 'In the Bible Belt, Acceptance is Hard-Won', (2004, September 26th)
8. American Psychological Association Website: Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality. (2010)
9. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 'Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Youth: Any Epidemic of Homelessness', (2007, January 30th)
10. Fondation Émergence, International Day Against Homophobia website: International Day Against Homophobia. (2011)
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Page last updated: 02/05/13
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