Homophobia is a Choice - let's stamp it out!

Personally, I can't understand homophobia - just as I can't understand racism, sexism, nor simpler things such as people who throw rubbish out of cars.  However, whilst I cannot begin to comprehend why someone would be homophobic, I do know that it a problem we can all actively try to help prevent.  Homophobia has no place in our society - nor does discrimination of any kind.  We all need to help stamp out homophobia and have a role to play in doing so.  

This article examines:

- What homophobia is
- Why it is a problem
- Where it takes place and 
- What we can do about it.  

Even if you don't 'class' yourself as homophobic, we can all do more to help stamp it out.

What is homophobia?

Homophobia is a term that covers a wide range of negative attitudes and feelings towards people who are, or perceived to be, homosexual -  whether that be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer folks (LBGTQ+).  It takes many forms, from physical to mental abuse, including:

Verbal assaults/ slurs
Physical violence
Exclusion
Rejection
Online/ cyber bullying
Suppression

Homophobia affects the lives of many people - notice I didn't say homosexuals, but rather people - and needs to be stamped out.  We can all label folks - as homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, male, female, young, old - but labels can dehumanise people.  People are people, we are all humans, we all have feelings, we all have rights and we shouldn't be discriminated against simply because of something as personal and natural as our sexuality.  This is a problem that affects peoples' lives every single day, people who don't deserve to be persecuted simply because of who they are attracted to.

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Why is Homophobia such a problem?

The impact of homophobia is significant and needs to be addressed.  Whilst we may think that there is nothing we can individually do, just remember that homophobia is learned and so it can be stopped; we just need to be open, better understand the issue and start addressing the problem.   If we do, we can all really make a difference and help to finally stamp it out.

I cannot even begin to really explain the scale of the problem and do it justice, but just think on these lowlights:

• Suicide:  Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst young people aged 10-24 and LGB youths are five times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual people of the same age.  Nearly half (48%) of trans people under 26 have attempted suicide.  This isn't something that solely affects young LGBT folks, but everyone - suicide rates are mush higher because of the constant discrimination.  Suicide is preventable - here is a great link to help us learn the signs and help prevent folks from taking this drastic option.
• Mental Health Issues:  LGBT people are more likely to suffer mental health issues due the way they are treated by many in society - the two most common issues are anxiety and depression.  More than four in five trans young people have self-harmed, as have three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren't trans.  If they didn't feel so isolated, they would be able to see help is available - so please look for the signs, be understanding and assist such vulnerable young people to reach out.
• Hate Crime: In 2013 the first Galop LGBT Hate Crime Report was published - and the results were shocking.  4/5 of LGBT folks had experienced hate crime, a quarter had experienced violent hate crime, a third experienced online hate crime and one tenth had been sexually assaulted as part of a hate crime.  Furthermore, two thirds of victims never report the crime to anyone; people are being attacked and feel so isolated and alone that they don't even report it - that fact alone should shock everyone.  This isn't a historic problem either, homophobic attacks increased by 147% in the three months after the Brexit vote here in the UK!
• Homelessness:  LGBT people make up almost a quarter of homeless youths
• The list goes on, and on, and...on :(

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Where does homophobia take place?

The sad simple fact is everywhere!  Some of it is conscious homophobia - whether that be by individuals or institutionalised - or casual/ unconscious homophobia (which is a huge problem in itself).  Regardless of the type, the problem is persistent and visible everywhere:

Online:  

• Especially for young LGBT people, there is no hiding from constant discrimination and bullying - everyone now lives in a 24/7 connected society, so discrimination can follow them wherever they go - there is no longer a safe sanctuary.  The constant comments and slurs from people they know are compounded by continuous anti-LGBT comments on all social media outlets.  NoHomophobes tracks the use of key words on twitter to show the prevalence of 'casual' homophobia.  The results from last week alone:
• 'Faggot' tweets: 23,639
• 'No Homo' tweets:  14,009
• 'So Gay' tweets:  10,507
• 'Dyke' tweets: 9,257
• At the time of writing, there had been over 68 million tweets with these terms published - 68 million 'seemingly' harmless (casual) yet hurtful homophobic tweets alone.  There really is no place to hide.

At Work:

• One in five (19%) of lesbian, gay and bi employees have experienced verbal bullying from colleagues or customers because of their sexual orientation in the last five years.
• One in eight (13%) of LGB employees would not feel confident to report homophobic bullying in their workplace.
• A quarter (26%) of LGB employees do not feel comfortable enough to be open to colleagues about their sexual orientation.
• Nearly half (48%) of trans people are not living permanently in their preferred gender role because they are prevented from doing so because they fear it might threaten their employment status.
• Over 10% of trans people experienced verbal abuse and 6% were physically assaulted at work. As a consequence of harassment and bullying, a quarter of trans people feel obliged to change their job.

At School/ College:

• Nearly half (48%) of LGBT pupils - including 64% of trans pupils - are bullied for being LGBT.  This is down from 55% of LGB pupils who were bullied because of their sexual orientation in 2012 and 65% in 2007.  Progress, but to little and too slow.
• Half of LGBT pupils hear homophobic slurs 'frequently' or 'often' at school.
• 70% of LGBT pupils report that their school says homophobic and biphobic bullying is wrong - up from 50% in 2012 and 25% in 2007.  Again, progress, but that's still 30% of schools where the message isn't clear.
• However, just 40% of LGBT pupils report that their schools say transphobic bullying is wrong!
• Just 20% of LGBT pupils have been taught about safe sex in relation to same sex relationships. 

Sport:

• 66% of LGBT people feet there is a problem with homophobia and transphobia in sport and this has acted as a barrier to them participating.
• 17% of LGBT people have experienced and 49% have witnessed homophobia or transphobia in sport.
• 70% of football fans who have attended a match have heard or witnessed homophobia on the terraces.
• 60% of fans believe anti-gay abuse from fans dissuades gay professional professional players from 'coming out'.
• Over 50% of football fans think the Football Association, the Premier League and the Football League are not doing enough to tackle anti-gay abuse.
• Only 20% of LGBT pupils have been taught about safe sex in relation to same sex relationships.

Home:  Yes, people even experience homophobia at home, from the very people that should be supporting them the most.  There literally is no escape...

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What can we do about homophobia?

The first, and simplest, action we can all take is to stop tolerating casual homophobia (and of course stop using casual homophobic language ourselves).  Speak out whenever you see or hear homophobic language, whether from family, friends or colleagues at home, school, work, on the sports field or anywhere else it happens.  Let folks know it's not acceptable.

If you don't know what I mean - here's a great video that was made to help tackle casual homophobia "If it's not Gay, it's not gay"

There are other simple actions we can all take:

• Assume everyone is LGBT when you first meet them, so it's not an issue - because it shouldn't be!
• When asked about your partner, why not refer to them as your partner rather than your wife or husband?  It doesn't, and shouldn't matter, so there's no need to define your heterosexuality from the outset in any discussion.
• Be supportive and help where you can - listen, don't judge and be empathetic. 
• Really think about your feelings and the way you behave towards LGBT folks - challenge any prejudices you have, no matter how small you think they are.  Homophobia, even the most 'casual' damages lives.
• Make sure you know the signs of depression and help prevent suicide.
• Just be a normal human being and treat everyone with goodness!

Homophobia has no place in our society.  Who folks are attracted to and love is their business and no one else's - it really shouldn't matter.  After all, love is love - and love is a beautiful thing and I hope everyone finds someone special to love.  Quite simply, homophobia is irrational and wrong - end of! 

If you are LGBT+, just remember - you are not alone!  People generally care about people and the majority of folks are not homophobic.  You are not a label, you are a person - a wonderful person who just happens to be attracted to certain other wonderful folks.  Please never feel alone or isolated; talk to people and get help if you are having any issues - life is hard enough without small minded people making it harder.  One immediate way you can start to improve your life, is through simple meditation practice - it's easy to do and the benefits are considerable (including helping to reduce depression and anxiety).  If you have never considered mindfulness as something for you, please read my short blog to get you going - it's easy to do and I promise you won't regret it. 

May you be tolerant, may you be well and may you all be happy!

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