Homophobic Consciousness

Homophobia is a social, cultural, and religious illness that paralyzes society. Homophobia has broken down the essential fabric of family and unconditional love. Because of homophobia people have lost jobs, homes, loved ones, and educational opportunities.

Homophobia is a broad topic that comes in many forms. The worst form is internalized homophobia. It stems from the belief that homosexuality about one's self is sinful or ethically unacceptable. Therefore that individual experiences anger, turned within and toward other homosexual people. Interpersonal homophobia is verbal harassment, discrimination, and physical assault against someone homosexual. Institutional homophobia is when government, hospitals, corporations, schools, churches, and other organizations discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. This has to end!

Homophobia equals oppression. Homophobia in this society hurts everyone, not only LGBT/SGL people. Heterosexuals who are not homophobic are often pressured into actions outside of their humanity. In another instance heterosexuals who have close LBGT/SGL friends are often looked at as questionable to heterosexual society. Heterosexuals are then labeled bi curious. Homophobia limits the necessity of general communication between co- workers, the church, healthcare workers, and family.

There are millions of Conservatives in this country who believe that Same Gender Love is a chosen sin. They believe Same Gender Love is the ultimate sin that is hated by God. They believe It is an abomination. It is believed unnatural and can be changed with reparative therapies. In the past, reparative therapies consisted of psycho aversion therapy, castration, hypnosis and electric shock! They adamantly believe that LGBT/SGL people molest children, even though the statistics state quite the opposite! Statistics consistently prove heterosexual males molest children, not homosexuals. Homophobia thrives on these negative slanderous beliefs.

This backwards thinking has literally destroyed people's lives! This ignorance has eradicated SGL teachers from the educational system. This ignorance has prevented basic equal rights for SGL people such as the right to marry, obtain benefits, or adopt children. The Conservatives would like to minimize and eliminate accurate portrayal of gays in the media. This is ridicules. They would like to allow discrimination in all employment. They would love to retain and amplify laws that criminalize perceived homosexual behavior.

Homophobia in religious, governmental, and corporate form disseminates hate crimes. It spreads it! Homophobia opens the door to hate. Homophobia basically and clearly says, "It's okay to hurt or mistreat this person, we're doing it!"

It is believed that hate crimes against LGBT/SGL people is deserved because they are breaking the laws of God! This thinking spreads hatred and violence like a virus. It welcomes fear and discrimination. It increases judgement and persecution. It creates dysfunction and separation. This is a twisted consciousness. It makes no sense.

Because of homophobia, LGBT/SGL people don't have rights! LGBT/SGL people can not make legal, financial, or medical decisions for their partner if needed. In many cases a LGBT/SGL person can be denied permission to visit their partner in the hospital. Another amazing fact is that LGBT/SGL people do not have the automatic right to make funeral arrangements. They do not have the right to assume ownership of property after a partner's transition even of it is jointly owned!

Homophobia and anti-gay rearing is the sole reason LGBT/SGL people are pressured into marrying someone of the opposite sex, thus emerged the Down Low! Societies prejudice and traditional religion has helped escalate and perpetuate an individual's false sense of heterosexuality. This pressure propels the individual into feeling and acting as if they must live a lifestyle that is deemed acceptable and socially moral. They design a life that meets all the requirements. This teaching insists ignore your emotions, needs and happiness based on the demands of the populace.

The truth is homophobia is detrimental to the future of all young people. For decades homophobic views have shattered our youth. I believe parental and peer pressure is a direct cause of premature sexual involvement. All youth are pressured into embracing heterosexual behavior to prove to family, friends and clergy they are normal. Media images, parental attitude, religion, and the educational system all reverberate heterosexuality is the norm. Based on this, our youth engage in heterosexual sex to prove they are normal and to be accepted. If you are outside of what is considered normal you are at risk. You are at risk for depression, drug and alcohol abuse. You are at risk for unplanned, unwanted pregnancies. You are risk for getting and spreading a STD. You are risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. You are at risk for suicide!

The deepest wound created by homophobia is being excluded from your family, condemnation from the church, and discrimination from the school. All of these entities have caused the alarming rate of drug usage, homelessness and suicide among LGBT/SGL people.

One problem is sexual topics are not discussed in African American families. Sex and the subject of sex still remain taboo. Even in my own family! Mother just told me a few weeks ago that my Grandmother didn't teach her anything about her body or about sex! Gay topics are not discussed and are out of the question. Homosexual condemnation, slurs and verbal assaults are the extent of dialogue. This exclusiveness has proven to be a death sentence for many. This is merely another example of how homophobia only hurts this society. It does nothing but create problems.

Junior high school was quite frightening. Everyone loved gay bashing, ridiculing and beating up anyone who was different. I was called boy, dyke, it, queer and a host of other horrible names. It was hard to find acceptance among the faculty and students. It was very hard fitting in and staying in.

When I was a kid, my loved ones found it hard to accept the woman I was growing into. It was forbidden to be or act like my true self in the presence of my family. They absolutely refused to accept who I was because of their fears or things they've heard. I was taught, my masculinity and non-attraction to boys would not be tolerated. They didn't hide their disgust and embarrassment. They said I was misguided and I needed Christ. My family insisted I was trapped in some sexual rebellion. I needed therapy, I needed a priest and I needed to act like a lady. I need male figures in my life, I needed to stop being around so many females.

I hated their descriptions, I hated who they thought I was. For a long time I was afraid to be myself, afraid speak my mind. I was afraid to feel. I hid myself because of the awful things that were said and believed about me. My self-esteem was low, and I had no confidence. My entire environment created insecurities within me. There was nothing loving, and unconditional about it.

My family knew I was hurting. However they never asked what I felt or why I was hurting. When I tried to communicate with them, they blew me off. They assumed I was in pain because I hated my homosexuality! That wasn't it. My pain was NOT the result of my homosexuality. My pain was the result of how I was treated. I just wanted to be valued and loved like everyone else.

I never questioned my orientation. I've always known. I've always been true to what I feel and what I believe in. I believe that homophobia is a sickness in need of curing. It looks bleak and even hopeless, but I believe we can prevent this disease from spreading. The fact is we can not change ones thinking. What we can do is be an example of inclusiveness, compassion and tolerance. With education, positive enforcement of government, and understanding of those who are different we can eliminate this disease once and for all. Hate, segregation and discrimination are counterproductive.

Embrace life, end homophobia.