"Phobes" are people with phobias. The list of phobias is exhaustive so I will just focus on homophobes, transphobes and other LGBT phobes.

What do these phobes believe?

- There has to be one penis and one vagina in order to have a loving relationship between two people.

- Whatever gender the doctor claimed you were at birth is the gender you should be at death... and every minute in between.

- Transsexuals are scary people and you need to be very cautious around them.  You never know what they will do.

- All LGBT people are confused.  If they enter into therapy with an open mind we can make them "normal".

- Being gay is a choice.  But being straight isn't.

That's just a few that come to mind.  Can you think of others?

Julie

Not being the right religion means you're going to Hell!

Being LGBT means you're going to Hell!

Changing your body means that you are destroying Allah's creatiion and means you're going to Hell!

Praying without covering one's hair means...

Letting a woman lead men in prayer means...

I could go on if you like?

That said, I'm still a believer.

- Anything GLBT related is AGAINST GOD! and as such is horribly horribly wrong and should be outlawed completely.

- All gay men/women are likely to turn into pedophiles if we don't "cure" them.

- If you're gay, you'll try to have your way with me!

- If you're gay, and you fancy me, you'll give me the gay!

etc.. etc.. etc..

I consider classic 'phobes' as needing treatment and support.  To me, a lot of these individuals are clinically mentally ill.  There are many forms of dis-ease that such mental problems can precipitate, and I am not saying that all 'phobes' are mentally ill.  But, if you consider phobia and the resulting anxiety disorders that can ensue as a result of phobia, it is clear that these so-called 'phobes' are often not only ill, but dangerous on a variety of levels and degrees.

I once read a story about a female US psychiatrist who claimed that Ronald Regan displayed all the classic symptoms of paranoid pschzophrenic.  She went on to describe his hatred of young men around college age. (I wish I had saved the article at the time)

Another one I didn't save but should have: A story in which a Republican senator described his feelings for the lower class unfortunates of American society.  He described that one day he sat in his car (I believe that was the setting), and looked over at an unfortunate down and out male on the street.  The senator stared for a while, trying to have compassion, trying to feel something for the man.  In the article he confessed that he was unable to imagine anything about how the man might feel or view life.  It was impossible for him to understand.  So, one can gather from this, many people who are higher up on the socio-economic ladder simply cannot relate.  Remember the movie with Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy, 'Trading Places'?

This is the same detachment that phobic people of all kinds experience.  Although, I think that phobes believe they know what is going on in the minds of those they fear, but of course they don't, which may add 'delusional' to the list.  (sorry for sounding like a madcap psychiatric pundit)

Anyway, generally speaking phobes to me are like animals that I just don't give energy to, and they generally leave me alone.  Their energy is so simple that when they try to engage you, they don't recognize you unless you reciprocate with a similar kind of low vibe energy.  It's really amazing.  I always say, "Just ignore him, and he'll go away."  It works.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_disorder

Quoteparanoid schizophrenia - a form of schizophrenia characterized by delusions (of persecution or grandeur or jealousy); symptoms may include anger and anxiety and aloofness and doubts about gender identity; unlike other types of schizophrenia the patients are usually presentable and (if delusions are not acted on) may function in an apparently normal manner

Being FTM just means that person's a lesbian

Being MTF just means that person's gay

Those two are what my mom believe and I hear it all the time

Being a crossdresser means you're a freak, mentally ill, and a pervert.

Gennee

The way I see it is that it's their problem not mine.  They are the ones torturing themselves over these issues... I'm just getting on with my life.  Simply put - "I don't mind and they don't matter."

Steph

Steph, you hit it right on the mark. What they say behind my back is none of my business. I remember that little saying from Robyn, who had said that many years ago on a forum. I don't even know if she remembers it but it has stuck with me for about 10 years.
Most of those people who like to make fun of others don't matter any how as they are just looking for something to make them smile in front of their peers.

- Transpeople are mentally ill and need to be institutionalized.

- Gay are really pedophiles and need to be put away.

- Lesbians just need a good man to bed them.

To me the phobes are the ones that need help.  They breed hate and violence.

And I live by those words too, Steph.

Janet

It matters when those are the minds that control the laws and the rights of the common person.

Quote from: Miniar on March 01, 2009, 05:24:51 PM
It matters when those are the minds that control the laws and the rights of the common person.

If you are a young person then it is time that you at least learn to vote and or be involved in your town, city, county, state or the nation. Be a part of the law changing. You can do it.

Quote from: Sheila on March 01, 2009, 05:36:25 PM
If you are a young person then it is time that you at least learn to vote and or be involved in your town, city, county, state or the nation. Be a part of the law changing. You can do it.

26, member of a political party, been politically active since before I was old enough to vote you're preaching to the choir here...
None the less, There's alway, everywhere, the potential dangers of misinformation.

Quote from: Miniar on March 01, 2009, 05:24:51 PM
It matters when those are the minds that control the laws and the rights of the common person.

Living in fear of those who would seek to control our existence is not living. However living productive happy lives serves to show that there is nothing to fear.  I used to think that there would be no place for me, that others would seek to harm me and ban my existence.  However, I have found that being proactive, being out there, works wonders.

Steph

The phobes voted against same sex marriage. 

The phobes deny transsexual citizens of some US states to change their gender on their birth certificate.

The phobes encourage hatred of anyone not conforming to their beliefs, sometimes resulting in injury or death to people who are "different".

The phobes cannot be ignored.  Living your life is wonderful but the phobes can take away your rights, deny you even having rights and make your life miserable. 

Every discriminated group fought for their rights.  And that's how they got them.  Just living your life will not result in gaining the rights you deserve as much as any other human being on this earth.

Julie

Quote from: Julie Marie on March 01, 2009, 06:49:07 PM
The phobes voted against same sex marriage. 

The phobes deny transsexual citizens of some US states to change their gender on their birth certificate.

The phobes encourage hatred of anyone not conforming to their beliefs, sometimes resulting in injury or death to people who are "different".

The phobes cannot be ignored.  Living your life is wonderful but the phobes can take away your rights, deny you even having rights and make your life miserable. 

Every discriminated group fought for their rights.  And that's how they got them.  Just living your life will not result in gaining the rights you deserve as much as any other human being on this earth.

Julie

Only if you let them.  Yes I live my life, and I live it the way I want to.  I'm proactive in my community and still live my life.  I'm out in my community and still live my life, I take part in my community and still live my life. I teach both young and old, and still live my live.  These things are all part of my life. I just don't let ->-bleeped-<-s get in my way.

Crying the blues, and moaning about our situation don't work, do something about it, get others to do something about it with you.  A country that can elect a black president can do anything.

Be proactive, lobby, write letters, protest, carry a flag or a banner; educate when you can.

Steph

Point I'm trying to make is.. You can't ignore it, the fear of the majority is a factor that affects our lives and as such it's never only the problem of the person's that have it, it can easily become our problem when we are denied human rights, or worse.
Sitting around at home and being "scared" isn't a solution either, but being politically aware (at the very least!) if not politicially active. Taking charge of your own life and being willing to explain oneself to those that ask, and so on. That's going in the right direction.

I have a somewhat different take on this. I think all these 'phobes' could be summed up in one.

"Autophobe".

I suspect that transphobic, homophobic and any other 'phobic' which focuses on discrimination and prejdudice against others all stems from the fact that the people who ascribe to the mindset actually fear, are insecure with, and hate themselves more than their supposed 'phobic' target. And their actions are, for the most part, nothing more than projection.

For example:

"If a man or woman can change sex and be accepted, does that diminish my own sexual identity and the security I thought I had in it? Can I trust my own feelings? So shouldn't I do everything to make sure such people aren't accepted in society so it becomes somehow safer for me?".

Because of this, all the education in the world is largely useless. Autophobes don't want to be informed. They don't care about the 'why', they just care about removing the source of their own fears and insecurities by whatever means possible. A largely fruitless task since when one is gone, another takes its place, ad infinitum... which is why one 'phobe' will often be many other, sometimes unrelated, 'phobes'. All, in my view, springing from the same source.

So, to sum up with regard to the 'phobes'... you aren't hated because of who you are, you're hated because of who they are. So you might as well live your life the way you want to, and try to be happy, because they never will be... no matter what you do.

Phobes need to be exposed for what they are, ignorant, fear-mongering, hateful people.  They aren't that big in numbers but they are vocal and out there in front of every camera and microphone they can find.

At the Academy Awards the phobes were out in front protesting the movie "Milk".  How absurd is that?  Yet, their fear and hatred is so overwhelming they couldn't see the absurdity of their actions.  We need to focus on actions like this and let the public know they have been lead astray by people who claim to be good Christians but are in fact just the opposite. This message has to be spread by each and every one of us even if it's to only other one person.

Phobes hate. They discriminate. They are deeply prejudiced.  They instill fear and anger.  Is this something Christ would do or something an anti-Christ would do?  That's what the public needs to ask themselves.

Julie

Steph, we both grew up in the same time era and I believe like you do. You should not live your life in fear. I don't and I have heard all the horror stories and have disproved many. I go where I want and do what I want. The only way to stand up to some of these "Phobes" is to live your life the way you want.  The LGBT groups in my town said that you can't get a job or your job will fire you. I disagreed and I retired from a job in the middle of transition only to go and get a job with the School District. They told me that the school does not accept people like me and that the parents would get me fired. I have been there 5 years now and have had a few accomadations and I got more work than I want to handle. Don't believe the rumors. There are laws to change and they are changing. VOTE!!!!!!! Stand up for your rights, don't let them run you over. Show them that you are someone who is needed in your community. Yes, we have a long way to go but we can do it.

I am a Christian and love God. It hurts me when people use the bible to justify bigotry and hatred. A lot of 'Christianity' s more cultural than biblical. I want to live a life that is biblical sound. There's no room in a child of God for bigotry and prejudice.

Gennee