Homophobia

Internalized Homophobia

Young children in elementary schools are exposed to societal homophobia on the playground when the words faggot, gay, and dyke are used in a derogatory way to tease and humiliate other kids. The expression [Page 337]that's so gay is also used as an insult. Hence, individuals grow up surrounded by homophobia in schools, in the media, in families, in peer groups, in religious sermons, and in legislation. One of the consequences of this frequent exposure is internalized homophobia, that is, the belief by homosexuals themselves that homosexuality is wrong, perverted, and “less than” to be gay or lesbian. The suicide rate for young gay people is three times the national rate for teens in general. Low self-esteem, higher rates of alcohol and drug use, and mental health problems are serious problems in the gay and lesbian communities as a result of individuals feeling they need to be secretive about being gay or lesbian.

Heterosexism

Heterosexist prejudice is seen throughout the institutions of society. On the cultural level, traditional gender roles of masculinity and femininity, definition of the family, religious views condemning same-sex sexuality as a sin, lesbian baiting, and anti-gay jokes all enforce anti-gay prejudice. Lack of civil rights protections in employment and housing, in access to the rights of marriage, and in the military policy of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” are institutional-level discriminations. These and other limitations form a constant message that the gay or lesbian person does not deserve the same rights or access to resources that heterosexuals have available to them.

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