Homophobia

Although the exact definition of homophobia remains elusive, it has ranged from discomfort when in close proximity to homosexuals (part of its original definition) to a deeply seated revulsion toward homosexuals ensconced within antigay attitudes. Primarily, the term appears to suggest the manifestations of ideologies that are extensions of heterosexism. That is, the undergirding mentality concerning homophobia is that gayness is inherently contrary to the supposedly positive nature of heterosexuality and that heterosexuality should therefore be accepted as a positive prescriptive view toward sexual and affectional orientation.

Increasingly, media depictions of homophobia are grounded not only in questioning heterocentric paradigms but also in critically analyzing the communicative messages that underscore the creation of homophobia. For example, mediated depictions of homophobic utterances have been critiqued for underlying assumptions of behavioral expectations and psychological assessments. Additionally, media news outlets have covered the presence of organized homophobia, particularly related to legislative events such as California's anti-marriage-equality proposition, Proposition 8. Because of an increase in media exposure, orchestrated efforts both to promote and to curtail homophobia have been covered, while mediated attacks against homophobia have also been instrumental in ensuring the distribution of homophobic messages.

In relation to new media, homophobia continues to be present within numerous social networking sites, prompting consideration of the impact of such electronic communication on participants. With a growing number of Americans considering pervasive antigay and homophobic messages from organized religious and political entities, increasing counterefforts are being used to combat such discourse. Examples include numerous social networking sites but also mediated counterattacks to remedy the influence of homophobia, particularly in terms of messages geared toward youth.

Although originally homophobia was assumed to be primarily a psychological phenomenon, its additional influence within political and social spheres is becoming more apparent. In consideration of the rash of protests and media appearances of the staunchly homophobic Westboro Baptist Church, the intersection of homophobia and religious doctrine may have reached a cultural zenith. Homophobia was assumed to be an undercurrent to legislative actions taken to ensure a forestalling of marriage equality. These efforts were coupled with political polemics suggesting that homophobia was linked with political opportunity. Examples of such events include mediated reactions to hearings on “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” (the measure designed to forestall service by openly gay and bisexual members of the military), the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and California's Proposition 8. By 2011, only the hate crimes bill had become law; progress on each of the other bills was stalled at the legislative level. Increasingly, mediated depictions of homophobia may underscore the motivation behind these legislative actions.

There was no mistaking this California citizen's stance on gay marriage when Proposition 8 was on the 2008 ballot. A “yes” vote supported the statement that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” and eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry.

(Wikimedia/JessieTerwilliger)

With increased attention to the role of hate crimes that are underscored by homophobia, including the murder of Matthew Shepard and attacks in the Bronx, homophobia has been identified as an underlying motivation for not only vitriolic but also corporal attacks. The intersection between homophobia and the likelihood of physical assault is becoming more pronounced. As a result, homophobia may also be linked to the masking of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual/transgender (LGBT) characters in media. For example, mediated depictions of openly gay characters have traditionally been either stereotypical, affixed to societal scorn or ridicule, or simply nonexistent. Some mediated depictions included illustrations of the negative impact of both homophobia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thereafter, an increasing number of openly gay, permanent characters were featured in mediated depictions, as were considerations of the emergent role of homophobia within social settings.

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