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[Resources] [Careers] [GLBT Health] [Allies] [Religion]
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Even if you’re heterosexual, you
should still support the GLBT cause, because:
Homophobia
is causally linked to patriarchy / male domination of the society – this is a
common assertion in feminist theory, well-developed in Suzanne Pharr's book Homophobia:
A Weapon of Sexism. Inverness
CA: Chardon Press 1988.
Homophobia as a weapon of sexism
http://www.schryer.com/homophobia/article4.html
Homophobia is the social basis of
male supremacy
www.schryer.com/homophobia/
See also:
On
homophobia, sexism and diversity
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/92/17/05_2_m.html
Ten things that
men can do to end sexism and male violence against women
http://www.europrofem.org/06.actio/wrc_rib/ewrc_en/08wrc_en.htm
The roots of
homophobia – a New York Times article, 1990
http://www.bibble.org/gay/phobia/roots_of_homophobia.html
Other ways that anti-gay prejudice
affects straight people:
1. Homophobia forces us to
act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are
a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.
2. Homophobia puts pressure on straight people to act aggressively and
angrily towards LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered,
questioning) people.
3. Homophobia makes it hard to be close friends with someone of the same sex.
4. Homophobia often strains family and community relationships.
5. Homophobia causes youth to become sexually active before they are ready in
order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an increase in
unwanted pregnancies and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
6. Homophobia prevents vital information on sex and sexuality to be taught in
schools. Without this information, youth are putting themselves at a greater
risk for HIV and other STDs.
7. Homophobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear to
be gay."
8. Homophobia makes it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to be
friends.
9. Homophobia along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. makes it hard to put
an end to AIDS.
10. Homophobia makes it hard to appreciate true diversity and the unique
traits that are not mainstream or "normal."
For more info, see Homophobia: How We
All Pay the Price, edited by Warren J. Blumenfeld, Boston: Beacon Press: 1992.
So, ways to combat prejudice and
homophobia as a straight ally:
1. Organize discussion
groups in class or after school to talk about the how homophobia affects
straight people as well.
2. Use neutral labels like "partner" or "significant
other" instead of "boyfriend," "girlfriend," etc.
when writing papers/emails or talking to others.
3. Bring up LGBTQ issues in conversations with friends or discussions in
class.
4. Interrupt anti-LGBTQ jokes, comments or any other behaviors that make
homophobia appear OK.
5. Put LGBTQ-positive posters in the halls and classrooms or wear shirts,
buttons, etc. that promote tolerance.
6. Don't make assumptions about peoples' sexual orientations or gender
identities. Assume there are LGBTQ people in all classes, sports, meetings,
daily life, etc.
7. Don't assume that "feminine-acting men" and
"masculine-acting women" are not heterosexual.
8. Don't assume that "macho males" or "feminine females"
are heterosexual.
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[Resources] [Careers] [GLBT Health] [Allies] [Religion]
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Questions?
Comments? Feel free to contact us at glbtmeds@yahoo.com
This
website is sponsored by Diversity in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. We would like to thank Alia
Qureshi Emili for the original website creation and design and the University of Toronto for providing us the webspace.
The materials found on this website do not necessarily reflect the views of
the University
of Toronto
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