Homophobia

Homophobia is often described as the fear of homosexuality in humans. Homosexuality is far more prevalent in our society and subtle then we realize. Homophobia can be attributed to the discrimination against the LGBT community that is deeply rooted in our culture, philosophy, religion and society. We might not comprehend the impact of homophobia in our society. It touches everyone at a personal and societal level. Homophobia over the centuries has been internalized and such fear has been sustained over time citing various reasons such as health, religious practices, morality hence prominence is laid on the fear of prejudice and the contextualization of prejudice within the individual and that of society. Socio political factors, cultural institutions that preach salient features of heteronormativity find it hard to accept homosexuals as part of their society. Throughout history people have been ostracized for being homosexuals and often were subject to harsh punishment. The threat to one view of the world of being heterosexuals is huge hence homosexuality leads us into believing that it is extremely negative and shameful hence secrecy and silence of self awareness is to be maintained which results in a strong sense of peculiarity with oneself that pervades our individual conscience. Politics have been played on homophobia due to an apprehension of heterosexuals of losing of control on society, arguments on naturalness, fear of introspection have all led to discrimination against homosexuals.

I personally believe that homophobia originated in primitive taboo customs, that are imbibed into ones conscience and are now largely subconscious. Radical analysis of sexuality in modern society meant that people who did not adhere to the heterosexual behavior were usually treated differently. Politics, psychology, history, socio economic conditions, religious abomination made sure that homophobia is deeply rooted in every human being. Anti gay attitudes spread by religions such as the notion that homosexuality is contagious, and practiced by the wicked population of society and is in violation of human behavior have intrigued me from the very beginning. To eliminate homophobia in society we must go beyond just accepting the prejudice against gay to eliminate the ramifications of anti homosexuals existing in society.

Thesis statement:  The societal behavior exhibiting intense and irrational fear, hostility, hatred and intolerance and violence against homosexuals originates and is encouraged by religion and politics. Religious and political heads in society preach and practice the most  popular hetero normative discourses and any objection to such heteronormative discourse is strongly dealt with. Such attitude and negativism to homosexuality gives rise to an unconscious fear that deeply pervades through our psyche and it is exaggerated by society at large.

Literature Review:

In the literature review, I would focus on the various factors that have an impact on the society regarding homophobia such as gender, race, religion, culture and politics. I would take up ten articles and review the degree of impact of each variable either on the way society embraces or fights against homophobia. I would also discuss the heterosexual attitudes  toward gay, lesbian and

bisexual people and their personal and social identities and issues related to stigma, and its application to the lives of LGBT community people and also analyze socio-economic considerations, workplace considerations, education, health, in the socio-political context. Homophobia is encouraged by State and religion. According to UN report published in May 2012  titled State Sponsored Homophobia, it reports that 60% of UN Members (113 of 193) have never had a criminal law against LGBT population or have abolished criminalizing same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults. But the remaining 40 % of world looks at homosexuality as criminal, that is 78 of 193 countries on pretext of preserving culture resort to such tactics even in the face of globalization. (State Sponsored Homophobia , pg 5). Homophobia is more prevalent in developing nations and nations with fundamentalist governments. The countries that still haven't yielded to the rights of homosexuals try to limit, control or otherwise pre-empt the universal validity of the human rights declaration by promoting the notion of ‘tradition’ as a sort of filter to give the “appropriate” interpretation of human rights within the context of a culture. For instance more than 50% of countries in African and Asian countries have criminalized same sex unions to exert state control over society. Fundamentalists and governments in Asia and African countries blames western Europe and colonialism for homosexuality. (State Sponsored Homophobia, pg 24)

Even in countries that have abolished criminality against homosexuality, public policies and legal clarity in defense of LGBT people are neither sufficient nor effective in changing and shaping the mindset of the society at large. People still are subject to moral violence and prejudice in all spheres of life. Public security, judicial police are not employed for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses, providing a culture of impunity, discrimination and homophobia for crimes involving LGBT victims.  (STATE SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA, pg 10).  Homophobia in developing nations is far more prevalent because of the deep rooted culture and religion that abandon the idea of inclusive sexuality. Expressions of homosexuality is mocked, shamed and treated with scorn. Often LGBT community is forced to live a secret life for the fear of violence. Homosexuality is aligned with occultism.

Ryan Greene's article Oppression in paradise talks about the homophobia that prevails in Jamaica, Jamaica is a country where politics encourages homophobia, this is a good example that demonstrates state sponsored homophobia.  Jamaica which  is known for its tourism and great natural beauty is often described as the most homophobic state in North America. The dire situation of homophobia can be seen in the normal life of people where being gay can be lethal. Gay men fall prey to mob violence. Lesbian women are raped. Popular musicians glorify the murder of homosexuals. Politicians and clergymen denounce the sin of homosexuality. Jamaican laws are out dated one feels especially when gay sexual expression is outlawed. Section 76 of Jamaica’s Offences Against the Person Act “prohibits the ‘abominable crime of buggery’ between consenting adult males too. The offence of gross indecency prevents activities of sexual intimacy between males.(Oppression in paradise,  pg 8,9). Much of the available literature links Jamaica’s homophobia at least partially with its religious conservatism. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country in the world. “Its values and mores are rooted in traditional biblical teachings, making it a socially conservative society. Jamaica’s gays socialize at underground nightclubs and worship at secret church services that move around the island. .(Oppression in paradise,  pg 16) or pg 21. Policies and Programs intentionally or unintentionally putting minority groups at a disadvantage and also under policing happens it institutions for minority groups .