Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog.
In the series of dacha and barbecue May holidays, there is one little-known, but significant. May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia.
Thanks to numerous Internet publications, it is common knowledge that there are many human phobias.
For example, an agoraphobe (who is this?) is afraid of open spaces, a penteraphobe is a mother-in-law.
But not everyone can answer in simple words, without stereotypes (how is that?) and shy half-hints, what a homophobe is afraid of and who he is. But there are an abundance of various myths and rumors around this issue.
Our method is to understand the topic, even if it has a reputation for being slippery. So, homophobe: who is he and what’s wrong with him?
What is homophobia?
If we talk about what homophobia is in simple words, the term can be explained as follows. This is the reaction of a person or group of people to the behavior, position, beliefs of a sexual minority, that is, those whom we call gays or lesbians.
Homophobia is rejection of their orientation. It is expressed in a negative assessment of homosexuals and hostility towards them. At the same time, the personal qualities of a person with a non-traditional orientation are not taken into account. He may be kind, smart, talented, but the fact of his belonging to sexual minorities becomes the basis for a homophobic society to consider him an outcast, unworthy of normal treatment.
In general, the term homophobia is of Latin-Greek origin. It consists of two words: “like” and “fear.” If we take into account the decoding of the concept, we can say that homophobia implies a feeling of fear towards similar people. In fact, the feeling of fear is experienced by the other side, that is, those towards whom negativity is manifested - homosexuals.
Homophobia from a psychological point of view is a dangerous phenomenon. A person under the influence of negative emotions can completely lose control of himself and cause serious harm to the one who caused these feelings.
Aggression becomes limitless. It’s good if homophobes turn to specialists for help. Psychologists help to accept and respect other people's choices. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to convince homophobes.
Etymology and semantics of the term
What does "homophobe" mean? It should be noted that this word is of Greek origin and literally means the following: “homo” is the same, and “phob” (Phobos) is fear of something. Consequently, people suffering from this “disease” show a negative reaction to any homosexual manifestations, no matter in what form.
American psychologist Georges Weinberg was able to give a one-word designation for this phenomenon in his book in the 70s. Since then, this term has been actively used by scientists in various fields of activity and scientific institutions in various documentation and literature.
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Regardless of the true meaning of the word “homophobe,” it is most often used to define people who experience negative emotions towards representatives of gay people.
Who is a homophobe?
A homophobe is a person who has negative feelings towards sexual minorities. Let us note that homophobia has not always been and is condemned.
In a number of countries, a negative attitude towards people with non-traditional orientation is fostered. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual people are subject to execution or imprisonment. Minorities are forced into hiding. Moreover, they are afraid to even think about belonging to this category. They don't accept themselves. The consequences are tragic.
Homosexuals have been condemned by society at almost all times. Such representatives were excommunicated from the church and were considered outcasts. Homosexuals could even be executed. For example, in Muslim countries, attitudes towards gay people are more pronounced. There is no need to talk about tolerance here.
However, studies by scientists, sociologists, and sexologists have proven that relationships between men and men in these countries happen quite often. The fact is that sex before marriage is also condemned. A Muslim cannot offer his chosen one an intimate relationship. He will be punished just like her. The solution is to seek satisfaction among your own kind.
Moreover, until recently, sexual minorities were considered potential patients in mental hospitals. They were considered insane and abnormal.
Centuries later, scientists have proven that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. Minorities are the same people, but they prefer same-sex relationships.
Essentially, homophobes violate human rights to privacy and freedom of choice. Sometimes there is a direct threat to the lives of transvestites, homosexuals or lesbians.
Sexual minorities even organize gay pride parades to fight for their rights. And they are violated in all areas. A gay man, for example, may not be hired for a good job or promoted simply because he has unusual sexual preferences.
Gay pride parades, by the way, are prohibited in many countries. The authorities consider such events as a call to young people to become the same as the participants in the processions. Society considers such parades to be propaganda. But this is a mistaken opinion. Representatives of sexual minorities are trying to prove to the world that they are the same as everyone else, do not pose a danger to society and do not force anyone to have sex. There are, of course, exceptions, but this depends on the morality of individuals.
To avoid negative reactions and evaluations of homophobes, sexual minorities are forced to hide their relationships from society. They cannot afford to start a relationship, live with their chosen one, much less have a child (adopt, for example).
Homosexuals experience discomfort. Moreover, those who discover signs of homosexuality in themselves are frightened by this discovery.
In some cases, instead of leading a normal and fulfilling life, a person withdraws, becomes depressed, and his self-esteem falls. He may even attempt suicide because he considers himself unworthy of life. He is bad".
The culprit is homophobia. A gay or lesbian is aware of the negative reaction from society, parents, and friends that will follow as soon as they come out. They are characterized by latency. They not only hide their inclinations, but also often do not allow themselves to realize that they belong to sexual minorities. This means that they do not receive satisfaction from life, since they cannot build harmonious relationships with the opposite sex. And others are condemned by society.
Such people suffer and make not only themselves unhappy, but also those around them. A gay man, for example, can even get married. But he will refuse to fulfill his marital duty and even feel disgust towards his wife, no matter how beautiful and smart she may be.
How does homophobia manifest itself?
Signs of homophobia manifest themselves in negative feelings and emotions towards sexual minorities. A homophobe experiences:
- hatred;
- anger;
- disgust;
- aggression;
- feeling of disgust;
- irritation.
Negative feelings can result in physical actions. So, a father, having learned about his son’s inclinations, may well use force and use his fists.
These are signs of individual homophobia. It is characteristic of individuals. Now modern people are more tolerant of gays or lesbians, but a hostile attitude towards them persists in the outback: small villages, villages, towns.
In addition, there is such a thing as internalized homophobia. Its meaning is that a person experiences the same negative feelings towards sexual minorities, but at the same time he himself belongs to them.
But he is a latent homophobe, that is, he is not aware or does not allow himself to realize his inclinations. Internal homophobia is dangerous, first of all, for the bearer of feelings. Here you need the help of a psychologist or even a psychiatrist. A specialist helps you understand yourself, accept yourself, and therefore become a happy person.
The greatest danger is institutional homophobia. It arises when sexual minorities are limited in their rights at the legislative level.
The authorities, through their decrees and regulations, do not allow same-sex relationships. A gay person has no choice. He will not only be condemned in society, but also punished. Here we are talking about human discrimination.
Institutional homophobia is an extreme degree of non-acceptance of people of non-traditional orientation. The authorities are nurturing a homophobic society. Only heterosexual relationships are possible. Other forms cannot exist. This form is typical for Muslim countries.
The following are considered signs of institutional homophobia:
- criminal or administrative punishment for same-sex relationships;
- Infringement of the rights of sexual minorities:
- excommunicating them from the church (mosque).
Homosexuals are outcasts and have no place in a given country or social group. They are not people at all. Both women and men can experience homophobic feelings. Psychologists note that female homophobia manifests itself more mildly. Representatives of the fair sex are often friends with gays and do not consider such relationships shameful.
But even among women, hostility towards sexual minorities can take acute forms. Nature dictates that a woman should give birth and reproduce. And if a man does not want to enter into an intimate relationship because he is gay, then the fair half considers himself disadvantaged and wounded.
AIDS
Another common misconception is that AIDS is a gay disease. At first, it even had a different name - “immunodeficiency associated with homosexuality.” This is largely influenced by the lack of information and condemnation by the surrounding society. The fact is that after conducting more thorough research, scientists determined that infectivity with this virus is not related to orientation.
For example: in Russia, more than half of the cases of infection occurred through traditional heterosexual relationships, although members of the LGBT community are at risk and get sick more often.
Causes of homophobia
The causes of homophobia can be very different. We have already said that the authorities themselves can cultivate a homophobic society if same-sex relationships are prohibited at the legislative level. Homophobia in this case is inevitable.
Homophobia is typical for religious people. Religion prohibits same-sex relationships. They are considered a sin. If a person adheres to religious views, then his feelings can be justified by religious fear and upbringing.
It is worth noting that modern clergy are loyal to sexual minorities and point out that the Lord gave man the right to choose. The Almighty does not limit his freedom. Everyone is free to do as they see fit.
Some researchers believe that homophobia is associated with low IQ. Indeed, if a person does not accept other positions and beliefs, there is no need to talk about his high intelligence.
Only an undeveloped person considers his point of view to be the only correct and acceptable one. Moreover, homophobia and xenophobia are closely related. Homophobia is often a consequence of xenophobia. People are afraid of the unknown. If they do not understand what is happening and cannot explain the essence of the phenomenon, then they begin to avoid everything that causes a feeling of uncertainty, anxiety, and discomfort. In this case, there is an infringement of the rights of sexual minorities, an attempt to limit their freedom.
Homosexual tendencies are not a sign of mental illness. This is a feature of individual people. As long as it does not take on violent forms, homosexuality is not dangerous to society. But we also know about the existence of maniacs who prefer only the opposite sex to satisfy their sexual needs. Homosexuality is not a sign and an uncharacteristic trait of a potential seducer, maniac or, say, drug addict.
History of use of the term
The predecessors of the term “homophobia” are homoerotophobia and homosexophobia. But the first mention of homophobia dates back to 1960. Gay activists Jack Nichols and Lee Clark called heterosexual men's fears and fears of being mistaken for homosexuals homophobia. In 1972, it was used by American psychiatrist John Weinberg in the text of his book “Society and the Healthy Homosexual” to mean the fear of contacts with homosexuals, as well as the negative attitude of people of this orientation towards themselves. Nowadays, the term “homophobia” is used more often for social and political purposes as a kind of tool, due to the large number of different definitions and meanings that are attached to this concept.
The modern concept of “homophobia” has a more complex definition and meaning.
Who and when coined the term
The term homophobia was first described in 1972 by George Weinberg. It was defined as an irrational fear, hatred and intolerance of intimacy with homosexual men and women. Homophobia in society now comes in many different forms. Less visible is the lack of inclusion of same-sex and especially ethnically diverse couples in entertainment, marketing materials and advertising. More obvious forms of homophobia include laws and regulations that discriminate against and undermine the basic human rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
How homophobia developed
The history of the development of homophobia is closely connected with the history of homosexual manifestations. Thus, in ancient Rome, according to the biographies of the ancient Roman historian Suetonius (“The Life of the Twelve Caesars”), only 2 Caesars did not have connections with the male sex. Guy Julius Caesar was called the “Queen of Bithynia” for his bisexuality, but, in particular, for the fact that he had a relationship with the king of Bithynia.
Historians associate the beginning of homophobia with the emergence of religion on the territory of the Roman Empire, namely Judaism, and later Christianity. The basis of such prejudices was that sexual relations should occur solely for the purpose of procreation, and any same-sex intercourse was considered adultery. For example, Emperor Justinian passed a law in 538 that, regardless of sexual position, homosexuals were subject to the death penalty. This law was not the only one, and it was it that influenced the further development of homophobia in Europe. Europe only began abolishing penalties for homosexuality in the 20th century.
Homophobia has been developing for quite a long time. And this, indeed, is largely due to religious movements. In modern times, religion has faded into the background, while one gets the feeling that homophobia is only gaining momentum. The idea that same-sex relationships are impossible is so entrenched in people's minds that it causes strong dissonance and subsequently hatred.
Why is homophobia bad?
Homophobia can take dangerous forms. Representatives of sexual minorities become victims of homophobia. They can be persecuted, physically hurt, and have their rights to a full life violated.
The aggression of homophobes knows no bounds. Murders and brutal reprisals against gays, lesbians or transvestites cannot be ruled out. Society needs to think about how to combat homophobia.
Homophobia leads to inequality. Sexual minorities cannot start a family. Russian legislation does not provide for marriage between same-sex partners.
Thus, gays and lesbians cannot legalize their relationships. This leads to other consequences. For example, if a spouse is allowed into the ward of his seriously ill wife, then the partner of a sexual minority will most likely not be allowed to visit his chosen one. Moreover, he does not have the right to inherit anything in the event of his death.
That is, if a man and a woman who enter into marriage are endowed with rights and responsibilities, then a same-sex couple will never acquire them. And this is already discrimination.
By the way, recently, media people have been talking about how to get rid of homophobia. The point of their speeches is that it is necessary to educate society, make scientific articles accessible, and talk about the fact that a person’s orientation is laid down at the genetic level. He doesn't choose how to be born. It is nature that makes him this way.
Thus, ways to combat homophobia mainly come down to educational activities. Let us note that propaganda cannot force a person with a traditional orientation to change his preferences. If a man likes women, he cannot like men overnight. Homosexual tendencies either exist or they don’t.
Of course, both a woman and a man can try sex with a same-sex partner, for the sake of interest and experience. But they will prefer to live and start a family with the opposite sex. Those who believe that ways to combat homophobia are propaganda of same-sex relationships are wrong. It is impossible to impose an orientation on a person if he is not inclined towards it.
Developed countries are making attempts to combat negative attitudes towards sexual minorities. May 17 has been declared the International Day against Homophobia. It is celebrated in Russia, Belarus, and a number of other countries. On this day, events are organized, lectures are held, films are shown, the purpose of which is to show society that people with non-traditional orientation are no different from the rest of the masses. They also have the right to happiness.
Much attention is paid to the fact that homosexuality cannot be a reason for denial of employment or education. The orientation of a gay person working, for example, as a school teacher, does not harm students. His personal life and relationships are his own business. But practice shows that if management or parents find out about a teacher’s non-traditional orientation, he will be removed from work. Although a heterosexual teacher does not evoke such feelings and emotions. But there are attractive girls studying at school. But for some reason society forgets about this.
Homophobic states
There are a number of countries where the appearance of homophobic symbols provokes aggression among almost the entire population. It is better for gays, transgender people and lesbians not to visit such states, and if such a need arises, they need to behave and dress in such a way as not to incur “righteous” anger. Countries most dangerous for sexual minorities:
- Yemen;
- Iran;
- Uganda;
- Pakistan;
- Afghanistan.
- Georgia.
- Russia.
These are just a few, in fact we can
