The Concept of Homophobia and its Motives - Research Paper Example

A research on the Concept of Homophobia and its Motives Homophobia refers to hostile response to individuals who are homosexual. Some forms of homophobia are: obsessional, narcissistic and hysterical. The motives behind homophobia are also illustrated and include envy, religious reasons, belief that homosexuality is immoral, resentment toward homosexuals since they cannot reproduce, and fear that one is a homosexual. The aim of this research is to analyze the concept of homophobia and its motives. It also recommends on the importance of changing such attitudes in the society. According to this research, society should be enlightened on the negative impacts of homophobia as well as how society can handle this vice. Introduction Homosexuality has been regarded as being immoral, perverse and vulgar since time immemorial. Homophobia is similarly as old and still persists in present times. Homophobia stems from intolerance, ignorance and fear. It developed from prejudice and eventually intensified to panic. Ironically, religious groups do support and exercise homophobic attitudes which is against the ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’ principle. The acute nature of homophobia has gotten to a point where this issue needs societal redress. The following research analyzes the concept of homophobia and the motives behind it in order to determine how to control the vice. Problem Statement Our society has over the past several decades gone through social transformation. There have been assertions of new beliefs regarding human relationships, minority rights, individual freedom and global involvement. Even with such developments, homosexuality has always been a source of conflicts. In spite of the several homosexual groups that act as activists for the rights of this minority group, these groups have not been able to considerably eliminate the vice that is homophobia. Negative and aggressive conduct towards individuals who are homosexual and those in support of homosexuality sets a challenge to the society which needs immediate redress. Objectives The main objective of this paper is to analyze the concept of homophobia. The paper also tries to determine motives behind homophobia and recommends on way forwards in combating homophobia. History of Homophobia Byrne (10) defines homophobia to be the fear of homosexuality as well as of those who practice it. In the 19th century, a lot of the negative attitude towards homosexuals had already developed. By the time the 20th century and the World Wars had come, the attitude had advanced to a great extent. Homosexuals started being viewed as a totally different class of humans that were not the same as the rest of society. They were seen as a class that interrupts the society on a moral, legal and ethical level. As they were sent out oversees during World War I, a lot of homosexuals were able to come together. However, at the end of World War II, men and women who were homosexuals started living as a community separately from heterosexuals. They isolated themselves from the heterosexual individuals. As a result the homosexuals were declared to be psychotic and anti-social individuals that were destructive because of their sexual preferences (Byrne 12). In the 1950s and 1960s, homosexuals were often ridiculed and hassled by a lot of individuals including the police. Soon after, homosexuals started fighting back against homophobia through formation of civil rights movements. They did this by calling for those that were “in the closet” to come out in publicly. The number of homosexual organizations increased from 50 to 800 as the closeted homosexuals publicly came out after realizing that there were groups and individuals who supported them. The 1980s were problematic years for the homosexuals. The Roman Catholic Pope called them evil and they were banned from fighting in wars. They were blamed for the existence of HIV/AIDS infections even though homosexuality began far much before AIDS emerged in the 80s. In fact, the disease had been named “The Gay Plague” between the 80s and 90s as thousands of males who were homosexual had succumbed to it. The number of AIDS cases reduced by almost 20% when gay activists started urging the public to use condoms (Byrne 23). Religion and Homosexuality The concept of homosexuality is generally a taboo in almost all religions. Today, many Christians persecute homosexuals yet the Bible states, ‘treat others as you would like to be treated.’ The idea of homosexuality is accepted by very few Christians. Many verses in the Bible have commented on the ‘sin’ of homosexuality. The Bible advocates for the killing of homosexuals. Homosexuality is viewed as a violation of nature and morality by conservative Catholics. It is conceived that homosexuals will not get into heaven because of their self-willed choice of perversion. This belief is that homosexuals ought to turn away from their lifestyle and get married to individuals of the opposite gender (Ann 45). In fact, heterosexuality is believed to cleanse away homosexuality. Some conservative Catholic’s believe that if homosexuals cannot find an opposite gender spouse, they should abstain from sex. Warren (65) states that some churches consider AIDS a punishment from God aimed towards pointing out to the world that homosexuality is a sin. Despite all this, there are religions that embrace and have respect for homosexuals and their likings. A huge supporter of homosexuality is the Episcopal Church. It carries out union ceremonies for partners who are homosexuals and sponsors homosexual religious groups (Warren 67). Forms of Homophobia According to David (38), homophobia is in form of three prejudices; narcissistic, obsessional and hysterical. Narcissistic homophobes dread that there is existence of people who are different from them. They feel that it is better if they are abolished. Obsessional homophobes believe that in order to protect heterosexuals, homosexuals should be eliminated since they are the ‘enemy’. The most common are types of homophobes are the hysterical homophobes. They are averagely homosexuals who suppress their sexual desires because they are of the opinion that heterosexuals are more superior to homosexuals (David 39). The impact of homophobia is evident in the article titled “I like guys” by David Sedaris. The story revolves around a young schools boy who lives in an era when homosexuality was deemed to be a curable deviation. His life is full of struggle due to his sadness and guilt associated with homosexual desires. This is so extreme that at one point, Sedan wishes resort to extreme non-proven methods to ‘cure’ him from homosexual tendencies, "…electroshock, brain surgery, hypnotism - I was willing to try anything" (Sedaris 84). The young boy lives in a world of his own trying to suppress his thought of homosexuality due to fear of being "beaten with sticks and heavy shoes" (Sedaris 92). His life is full of denial, sorrow and fear caused by a homophobic society. The short story promotes understanding and tolerance by making readers view homosexuality from the perspective of homosexuals and showing the negative effects of homophobia. Why People opt to be Homophobic The term homophobia was coined by George Weinberg who thinks there are 5 basic motives for homophobia: beliefs that homosexuality is immoral, fear that oneself is a homosexual, envy, resentment toward homosexuals since they can’t reproduce and religious reasons. Many individuals are born in conservative families who instill hatred towards homosexuality. Elizabeth (77) believes that families pick up hatred towards homosexuality from religious institutions. Many of these institutions indicate that homosexuality is unnatural and a sin thus promoting homophobia (Elizabeth 78). Studies indicate that heterosexuals can only think of negative prejudices when they meet homosexuals. According to a review of several studies by Byrne (23 -26), individuals seek to reaffirm their confidence in their own sexuality by acting homophobic. Many people put the blame on homosexuals terming them crazy, immoral or repulsive when asked why they opt to support homophobia. Homophobes generally discriminated against anyone perceived to be out of their definition of societal norm (Byrne 28 - 29). Conclusion Homophobia thrives because of preconceptions related to homosexuality. There are many factors that cause homophobia. The two major ones are individuals who act out on homosexuality and the religious views regarding homosexuality. Sadly, homophobia is treated more leniently than other forms of prejudice probably due to its extensive prevalence in the society today. This makes homophobes dominate those who exercise and advocate for homosexuality. It is the high time that society refused to look the other way and face the tragedy of homophobia head on. Society should realize that homophobia has killed almost all positive aspects of homosexuality such its ability to reduce the soaring human population levels associated with heterosexual relationships. Also, homosexuals opt for adoption and thus solve the problem of children living without the love of parents. In this respect, homophobia is the last thing the world needs in order to solve the problems of overpopulation, food insecurity and orphan-hood. Recommendation Unfortunately, just like sexism and racism, homophobia is a form of discrimination that will most probably be present all through the 21st century generation. One’s sexual preference should not lead to their ridicule, attack or even murder. Those who are heterosexual should not play God by taking it upon themselves to punish homosexuals who they think deserves punishment. Homophobia can be mitigated if the society learns to respect the unique sexual preference of homosexuals who have a right to express their sexual desires just like heterosexuals. The world is capable of alleviating homophobic stereotypes through public sensitization, establishment of legal mechanisms to cub the vice and formation of more gay rights movements. Activists for equality and human life should stand firm and unashamed in advocating for the rights of homosexuals if homophobia is to be eradicated in the near future. The society must endeavor to fight homophobia in order to uphold equality for all. Hopefully, the world will then accept homosexuality just like society worked towards equality for women and minorities. Works Cited Blumenfeld, Warren. Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price. Boston: Beacon, 1992. Print. David, Sedaris. Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays. Boston: Back Bay Books, 1995. Fone, Byrne. Homophobia: A History. New York: Picador, 2001. Print. Meyer, Elizabeth J. Gender, Bullying, and Harassment: Strategies to End Sexism and Homophobia in Schools. New York: Teachers College, 2009. Print. Murray, David A. B., ed. Homophobias: Lust and Loathing across Time and Space. London Duke UP, 2009. Print. Petrocelli, Ann. Prejudice to Pride: Moving from Homophobia to Acceptance. New York: NASW, 2012. Print. Read More