Ten Ways Homophobia Affects 'Straight' People

[ismnotwasm]

A guide to help straight students think about the cost of homophobia in their own lives.
1. Homophobia forces us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.

2. Homophobia puts pressure on straight people to act aggressively and angrily towards LGBTQ people.

3. Homophobia makes it hard to be close friends with someone of the same sex.

4. Homophobia often strains family and community relationships.

5. Homophobia causes youth to become sexually active before they are ready in order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STDs.

6. Homophobia prevents vital information on sex and sexuality to be taught in schools. Without this information, youth are putting themselves at a greater risk for HIV and other STDs.

7. Homophobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear to be gay."

8. Homophobia makes it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to be friends.

9. Homophobia along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. makes it hard to put an end to AIDS.

10. Homophobia makes it hard to appreciate true diversity and the unique traits that are not mainstream or "normal."

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/archives

This is worded for kids. It appears we need it here as well. Part of this is monitoring ourselves for language that promotes homophobia. Language carries our cultural freight. It matters.

[Fresh_Start]

1. please send this to the boy scouts so that they can think about their homophobia

and its impact on all of their scouts.

[ismnotwasm]

2. No shit

That's an ugly situation



I hate not buying popcorn from the cute little guys, but until things change...

[Fresh_Start]

3. I have an Eagle Scout

who now feels like he's been one of Hitler's youth....
we have an inclusive troop with our atheists and gay scouts....didn't realize what the national policy was until it hit the news

[BainsBane]

4. I do the same

besides, that popcorn is like $45 a container. I do have a nephew in the Scouts, and when they were thinking of changing their policy I thought I might be able to contribute to one of his fundraising things. I haven't heard what the Scouts decided though.

[shenmue]

5. Very true

That is real stuff.

[eallen]

6. Homophobia treats people cruely and unfairly.

I really don't need to know anything beyond that. It affects me because of that.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Homophobia also makes it hard for people to appreciate the diversity of sexual expression.

It is sad how many cannot understand just because they aren't part of group how bigotry toward others affect them as well.

[Quantess]

8. I don't care if someone wonders about my sexual orientation.

For the record, I am straight.
But a lot of people are sensitive to that sort of gossip, and it may end up causing some people to limit their freedom of expression, or otherwise act certain ways out of insecurity. That's no way to go through life!

[Shankapotomus]

9. Plus it can suggest

and promote someone as something they are not. That can negatively affect their ability to connect and interact with the specific gender preference of their choice, if people are going around saying they are something they are not. They may not be offended but it still can negatively affect them.

It would be good if there was an unwritten rule that said no one assumes someone's orientation unless they have explicitly stated "I am this" or "I am that." Then take them at their word and cut out the speculation because it can very often impede a person's personal progress.

[aikoaiko]

10. Sadly, the truly homophobic responds to each item with a "Good!".

These are their goals -- not things to be avoided (to an extent).