Homophobia

What is homophobia?• Homophobia is the irrational hatred, intolerance, and

fear of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people.• These negative feelings fuel the myths, stereotypes,

and discrimination that can lead to violence against LGB people.

• LGB people brought up in a homophobic society can often internalise these negative stereotypes and develop varying degrees of low self-esteem and self-hatred, often described as 'internalised homophobia'.

• The word homophobia was constructed by the heterosexual psychologist George Weinberg in the late 1960s. He used homophobia to label heterosexuals’ dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals as well as homosexuals’ internalised oppression. The word first appeared in print in 1969.

Why are people homophobic?• Ignorance• Peer pressure• Insecurity about their own sexuality• Religion• Media stereotypes• Not taken seriously enough in

schools/workplaces/government• Parental/family attitudes• Gay marriage not being legal

Some attitudes to homosexuality

“I’m one of those people who totally hates gays. If my friend turned gay, they wouldn’t be my friend no more.” “It’s not the same as being racist at all,”

Homophobia – A history•Until 2003, it was illegal for local authorities (including schools) to be seen to promote homosexuality•Homosexuality was considered a criminal offence until 1967•In 2002, same-sex couples were granted the right to adopt•Civil partnerships were introduced as recently as 2005 granting the same rights as married couples•The debate is currently ongoing as to whether gay marriage will be legalised

Homophobia in schools•17million people have witnessed anti-gay bullying in schools

•Almost two thirds of LGB pupils have experienced homophobic bullying

•98% of young gay people hear phrases such as ‘that’s so gay’ / ‘you’re so gay’ & over four fifths hear them frequently

•Ninety seven per cent of pupils hear other insulting homophobic remarks, such as “poof”, “dyke”, “queer” and “bender”. Over seven in ten gay pupils hear those phrases used often•or frequently.

•“I have every confidence that as a teacher with over 30 years’ experience, and as a head of year, I could discuss issues with girls who claim to be gay, but I would probably not be very sympathetic,”

•“One has to pick one’s battles as a teacher, and that means occasionally turning a blind eye to inappropriate language in certain contexts.”

Homophobia in society•Three in five people still say there is public prejudice against lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain today. •Three quarters of people (77 per cent) think the media still rely heavily on clichéd stereotypes of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.•Almost 4 million people have witnessed homophobic bullying at work. •Physical bullying also occurs at work, and has been seen by 4 per cent of people – over 1.2 million people.

Changing attitudes

Changing attitudes

Changing attitudes - Marriage

Challenging Homophobia - Stonewall• Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of women and

men who had been active in the struggle against Section 28 of the Local Government Act.

• Section 28 was an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the so-called 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools; as well as stigmatising gay people it also galvanised the gay community.

• The aim from the outset was to create a professional lobbying group that would prevent such attacks on lesbians, gay men and bisexuals from ever occurring again. Stonewall has subsequently put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support within all the main political parties and now has offices in England, Scotland and Wales.

• Stonewall is renowned for its campaigning and lobbying. Some major successes include helping achieve the equalisation of the age of consent, lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the military, securing legislation allowing same-sex couples to adopt and the repeal of Section 28. More recently Stonewall has helped secure civil partnerships and ensured the recent Equality Act protected lesbians and gay men in terms of goods and services.

Challenging Homophobia - Diversity Role Models•Diversity Role Models actively seeks to prevent homophobic bullying in schools. They aim to stop bullying before it happens by educating all young people about differences in sexuality and gender identity.•In schools where homophobic bullying is tackled, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students are 60% less likely to be bullied. This environment allows young people to feel safe and focus on learning. It also prepares all students for a working environment in which homophobia is not tolerated and diversity is respected.•They communicate with students directly, using positive role models to counter negative stereotypes. They help LGB and T young people to feel confident and their classmates to understand, accept and welcome the differences they notice in others.•Diversity role models can be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or straight. They need not be successful, attractive or brilliant. They certainly don't need to be perfect. All they need to demonstrate is that it's ok to be different.

The national lesbian, gay & bisexual charity

http://www.stonewall.org.uk

Tackling homophobia through education

http://www.diversityrolemodels.org/

Making life safe, just and fair for LGBT people

http://www.galop.org.uk/

Ending homophobia, empowering people

http://www.lgf.org.uk

Suggested Internet Links• Stonewall Publications (Information on attitudes, schools,

workplaces and lots more)– http://www.stonewall.org.uk/what_we_do/2583.asp

• LGF Policy research– http://www.lgf.org.uk/policy-research/

News Articleshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18412222http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17796511http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0517/1224316238678.html