Ten Ways Homophobia & Transphobia Affect Straight People

[Shana A]

Ten Ways Homophobia & Transphobia Affect Straight People

http://www.q-resources.org/ally_ten_ways.php

   1. Homophobia and transphobia force 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 and transphobia put pressure on straight people to act aggressively and angrily towards LGBTQI people.
   3. Homophobia and transphobia can make it harder to be close friends with someone of the same sex.

[Janet_Girl]

So if this is true, why do Homophobia and Transphobia still exist?  Because they are social norms.  Anything that may threaten the status quo, is seen as that treat and must be eliminated.



Janet

[Arch]

   1. Homophobia and transphobia force us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.

Force?

[Kendall]

I do not know how to quote but in reply to Arch's one word question, "Force?", I have an answer. At least for men I know and my own experience living as a male - If a male acts "like a female,"* which includes liking men too well, they are likely to be teased and harassed, sometimes physically assaulted, so I think force is an appropriate word. Of course the internal pressure we put on ourselves to avoid social pressure is the worst "force" of all.

includes liking men, the wrong colors, or foods, showing feelings, being considerate or willing to compromise, liking the wrong music or movies or clothes, being nice to women not for sex, and so on. Not every point for every man, but a lot. very restrictive.

[finewine]

People are suspicious of that which they do not understand.  They fill the gaps in their understanding with paranoia, cynicism, fear (and it's cousin hatred), etc..  This applies to pretty much everything; sexual orientation, racial & religious differences, even the workplace!  Look how a simple lack of communication in the office is replaced by negative gossip - an absence of information is filled by simply making stuff up.

And who makes up good news?

Nobody.

Worse, once someone has already filled their information gap with nonsense (either of their own or through social/parental indoctrination), it's damn hard to displace with facts.  Bummer, eh?

We can't reason with the unreasonable - but they're (hopefully) the minority and it's possible to reach the majority...eventually.

[Silver]

Homophobia and transphobia, along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. make it hard to put an end to AIDS.

How?