Homophobia

[Seekster]

AIDS

Now before you start lambasting me, hear me out.

The whole AIDS scare way back when highlighted the fact that a lot of homosexuals have AIDS (or at least there is a higher rate among them). This made people associate homosexuals with crazy indistructable killer virus that spreads through some unknown reason (I know they figured out how AIDS is transmitted). This gave more attention to the homosexual community as well as the thought that homosexual == AIDS, regardless of what the actuall cause was.

So you have a bunch of people that know that people who use drugs have the same disease as those who are homosexual. This creates negative association and allows people to point to homosexuallity and say that it is corrupting the children. This spawns the crazyness you see today, except that homosexuallity dosen't have the research behind it that drug use does, so there is uncertanty about what makes you homosexual and if you can "catch" it and whatnot. The popularity of "gay" and "fag" as popular insults only continue to prevent others from actually looking at homosexuallity instead of just labling it as wrong and leaving it as that.

It's too bad nobody will read this since it's stuck about a hundred posts into the thread.

Interesting idea, but Homophobia has been going on for much longer than we've had AIDS. However I do agree that the Association with AIDS and dirty needles hasn't helped. hadn't considered that angle before. Gave me pause for thought there.

Let me also say that homosexuality is almost certainly not responsible for the existence of AIDS (I really could even take out the "almost"). To say otherwise is simple false.

 

[garjian]

its funny how most men pretty much refuse to touch each other anymore lol...
thats how afraid they are of being labeled gay...
and through that fear... being gay becomes a rather heavy insult...
thats why they slap it on anyone they dont agree with... anything they dont agree with...
and why people who are get mocked so badly...


but its fun to wait until someone is deep into calling you gay... and then admitting you are... even if youre not it baffles them...

 

[randommaster]

AIDS

Now before you start lambasting me, hear me out.

The whole AIDS scare way back when highlighted the fact that a lot of homosexuals have AIDS (or at least there is a higher rate among them). This made people associate homosexuals with crazy indistructable killer virus that spreads through some unknown reason (I know they figured out how AIDS is transmitted). This gave more attention to the homosexual community as well as the thought that homosexual == AIDS, regardless of what the actuall cause was.

So you have a bunch of people that know that people who use drugs have the same disease as those who are homosexual. This creates negative association and allows people to point to homosexuallity and say that it is corrupting the children. This spawns the crazyness you see today, except that homosexuallity dosen't have the research behind it that drug use does, so there is uncertanty about what makes you homosexual and if you can "catch" it and whatnot. The popularity of "gay" and "fag" as popular insults only continue to prevent others from actually looking at homosexuallity instead of just labling it as wrong and leaving it as that.

It's too bad nobody will read this since it's stuck about a hundred posts into the thread.

Interesting idea, but Homophobia has been going on for much longer than we've had AIDS. However I do agree that the Association with AIDS and dirty needles hasn't helped. hadn't considered that angle before. Gave me pause for thought there.

Let me also say that homosexuality is almost certainly not responsible for the existence of AIDS (I really could even take out the "almost"). To say otherwise is simple false.

I'm not saying that it is, I'm saying that is what the mainstream media has gotten many people to beleave in some form or another, which I probably didn't do so well previously. Also, it was not really that widespread an issue as it is today, even if the prejudice was still strong. More people are aware of homosexuality and are reminded of it in various ways every day, such as the oh so popular use of "fag."

When having AIDS is precieved as being homosexual, and AIDS is bad, then it is not a very far leap to homosexuality is bad. This can also explain why some people see homosexuality as a disease.

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

I'm not homophobic, and really I think it's awful. Anybody homophobic is just pathetic. Sure it's not, NATURAL, but it's a choice, and peoples choices should be respected.

 

[Seekster]

I'm not homophobic, and really I think it's awful. Anybody homophobic is just pathetic. Sure it's not, NATURAL, but it's a choice, and peoples choices should be respected.

I agree with everything except the word "respected". People's choices should be tolerated (actually I guess you could use the words "respected" but it implies it can be made to imply approval). For example I tolerate a person's choice to smoke, drink, or have casual sex (as long as it does not in some way concern or affect me) but I do not approve of that choice and so I would not encourage them to continue making that choice nor would I encourage others to make the same choices. However if a person decides they want to smoke, drink, or engage in homosexual behavior, I will tolerate it but I will not condone it (nor should I be expected to).

 

[Alliednations]

I'm not homophobic, and really I think it's awful. Anybody homophobic is just pathetic. Sure it's not, NATURAL, but it's a choice, and peoples choices should be respected.

I don't think it's a choice; nobody wakes up one day and goes "Hmm, I think I wanna be gay!" The only choice they have is telling people that they are homosexual. Honestly, society kind of expects and labels people to be heterosexual unless otherwise noted.

From my understanding, nobody really knows what makes one person homosexual and another heterosexual. But you are right in that it isn't "natural", at least by our current society's standards. The norm of today is a nuclear family, which probably attributes to a lot of people's homophobia. As this forum has said, the main reason people fear this is because its different than what they expect.

Personally, I don't believe in heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual love. I believe in true love. If two people love each other, then who are we to judge, you know?

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

I'm not homophobic, and really I think it's awful. Anybody homophobic is just pathetic. Sure it's not, NATURAL, but it's a choice, and peoples choices should be respected.

I agree with everything except the word "respected". People's choices should be tolerated (actually I guess you could use the words "respected" but it implies it can be made to imply approval). For example I tolerate a person's choice to smoke, drink, or have casual sex (as long as it does not in some way concern or affect me) but I do not approve of that choice and so I would not encourage them to continue making that choice nor would I encourage others to make the same choices. However if a person decides they want to smoke, drink, or engage in homosexual behavior, I will tolerate it but I will not condone it (nor should I be expected to).

In saying what I said I did not mean that it should be "accepted" by respected I mean, if somebody does not agree with homosexuality, they should at least let it be and not think any more of it, I do not mean that it should be encouraged, sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

I'm not homophobic, and really I think it's awful. Anybody homophobic is just pathetic. Sure it's not, NATURAL, but it's a choice, and peoples choices should be respected.

I don't think it's a choice; nobody wakes up one day and goes "Hmm, I think I wanna be gay!" The only choice they have is telling people that they are homosexual. Honestly, society kind of expects and labels people to be heterosexual unless otherwise noted.

From my understanding, nobody really knows what makes one person homosexual and another heterosexual. But you are right in that it isn't "natural", at least by our current society's standards. The norm of today is a nuclear family, which probably attributes to a lot of people's homophobia. As this forum has said, the main reason people fear this is because its different than what they expect.

Personally, I don't believe in heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual love. I believe in true love. If two people love each other, then who are we to judge, you know?

When I said choice, I didn't mean it in the sense that they can say, today i'll be gay. You can't just be homosexual because of hormonal balances or brain messages or whatever...I simply mean that there is reason for judgement, saying that you have no reasoning for being homosexual or not is like saying you murder people because I can't stop myself, in some peoples cases that's true because of medical conditions. To clarify, I am not homosexual for the simple reason that I find the Female body more attractive.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Because homosexuals don't contribute to reproduction. It's an animal instinct. If we were animals still living in the wild we would shun such a creature as it leaves the rest of the species at a disadvantage in regards to population and evolution.

Of course at this point in society most people can suppress this instinct.

Not necessarily. All social mammals and even some birds have homosexuality. Some level of homosexuality has conferred an evolutionary advantage, and it is likely to do with the ability to reasonably socialise with members of ones own species and ones own sex. Way back when our own ancestors were not much more than 4 legs with two eyes and some slimy skin, if a male met another male of the same species it would end in violence and death.

I think it is far more to do with peer pressure among young males. When I was at school I hated gays with the rest of the kids. I would talk of elaborate ways to torture and cut the junk of any gays I would ever meet. To not say such things would be to run the risk of being identified as gay (even though I wasn't), and therefore be a risk. But such things stay with you. Now I am older and less of an ignorant toss-pot I defend gay people against such prejudice, but I do understand it on that level.

Among others it is a clear case of them being somewhat gay themselves and being completely unable to come to terms with it. That kind of self hatred often finds an escape in hating others who remind you of your "weakness" (not saying that homosexuality is a weakness, just that it is perceived as such by that type).

 

[Arehexes]

I really don't care for the ones who want to show it off like he is on stage. There was a kid in my class who would hump his table or pretend his chair did him, and he would talk walk fight and act like a girl.

 

[garjian]

I really don't care for the ones who want to show it off like he is on stage. There was a kid in my class who would hump his table or pretend his chair did him, and he would talk walk fight and act like a girl.

yeah... its almost as if theyre making fun of it themselves...

 

[Gamine]

I don't really like the term homophobic. Its ended up being a term for anyone who disagrees with homosexuality in any way. Its not fair to discard peoples views as being part of a mental disorder. A homophobe to me, would be someone who has an unprovoked aggressive or fearful reaction towards homosexuals.

I don't really have any answers about the OP's questions though. Except the whole 'people hate what they don't understand' line. I disagree with the idea that most homophobes are struggling with latent homosexuality as well. There are many factors that could lead to their issues with gay people.

GBAM!

Because homosexuals don't contribute to reproduction. It's an animal instinct. If we were animals still living in the wild we would shun such a creature as it leaves the rest of the species at a disadvantage in regards to population and evolution.

Of course at this point in society most people can suppress this instinct.

*nods*

 

[Gamine]

Don't try and apply logic & reason to irrational behaviour, after all; HomoPHOBIA, like all phobias, is an irrational fear. People will conquer their fears eventually.

I still disagree with calling someone who is openly hostile towards homosexuals a homoPHOBIC... I'm afraid of snakes, I don't go looking to start shit with snakes and no one ever says that the reason I'm afraid of snakes is because I might secretly be a snake.

ha, you guys speak my mind!

 

[Gamine]

And a question i would like answered is, why cant i choose to be homosexual?

why cant i choose?

must i be "born" with it.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

And a question i would like answered is, why cant i choose to be homosexual?

why cant i choose?

must i be "born" with it.

Not being a choice doesn't mean you have to be born with it.

True homosexuality isn't a choice though, you can't choose what your sexual orientation is. You can choose who you want to screw though. If you are curious you might as well try out and see if it "fits you". =p

 

[Yukichin]

You can "Choose" to be homosexual, but you can't REALLY choose it. Like, you can force yourself to have sex with guys if you're a guy and all that sort of stuff, but it may not be what you actually like/what you're attracted to.

As for why people are homophobic... well, I honestly don't understand either. Part of it seems to be because they instantly think "Oh, they like men, THEY LIKE US RUN THEY'LL RAPE US!!", but other parts of it is religion-oriented, I think...

 

[garjian]

And a question i would like answered is, why cant i choose to be homosexual?

why cant i choose?

must i be "born" with it.

i suppose thats a trait only bisexuals have then? i mean i can choose ive never had problems choosing a side...

 

[Fangface74]

Don't try and apply logic & reason to irrational behaviour, after all; HomoPHOBIA, like all phobias, is an irrational fear. People will conquer their fears eventually.

I still disagree with calling someone who is openly hostile towards homosexuals a homoPHOBIC... I'm afraid of snakes, I don't go looking to start shit with snakes and no one ever says that the reason I'm afraid of snakes is because I might secretly be a snake.

Erm, not quite sure what your saying, If your openly or secretly resentful of people because of their same sex orientation, then your a homophobe, it's not 100% technically accurate, but everyone knows it's applied meaning, so no problem. Are you IRRATIONALLY afraid of snakes? Ophidiophobia doesn't involve reptile/human identity issues the same way not all Homophobes aren't all closet gay's! A phobia is simply irrational feelings toward specific criteria.

 

[Talendra]

I alot of people are actually genuinely afraid we are all out trying to convert them, and other then that it's just fear of the unknown, or covering their own insecurities.

I'm not very homophobic, but I am slightly put off by really queeny guys that are obviously trying to act that way. At Comic-Con waaaayyyyy back in 2001 in the Spider-Man panel, I was sitting in front of a guy that kept LOUDY talking about what he wanted to do to Tobey Maguire. Just a little obnoxious.

Nothing wrong with that, it would be annoying if anyone was doing it, gay or straight

Other than this it's just hate not fear, there are plenty of people that love to hate just about anything, regardless of reason.