This article was co-authored by Lily Zheng, MA and by How.com.vn staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Lily Zheng is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant and Executive Coach who works with organizations around the world to build more inclusive and innovative workplaces for all. Lily is the author of Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Discrimination (2018) and The Ethical Sellout: Maintaining Your Integrity in the Age of Compromise (2019). Lily earned her MA in Sociology from Stanford University.
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You might already recognize a basic definition of homophobia as the fear of or prejudice against people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. But it’s just as important to recognize homophobia in action—that is, in the things people say and do. This article lists common types and examples of homophobia, and also provides advice on what you can do to support positive change. After all, identifying homophobia is the first step toward eliminating it.
Steps
Types of Homophobia
- Institutional homophobia. This is when governments or other powerful institutions enact and enforce policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals—for example, by denying the right to marry, adopt, or visit a partner in the hospital.[1]
- Cultural homophobia. This refers to a dominant cultural view, reinforced by traditional media and social media, that LGBTQ individuals and couples are less "normal" and "desirable" than heterosexual people and couples.[2]Advertisement
- Interpersonal homophobia. This occurs when someone shows hatred, disgust, or disdain for LGBTQ+ individuals through their words and actions; such as by making stereotypical jokes, using homophobic slurs, or engaging in physical violence.[3]
- Internalized homophobia. This is when an LGBTQ+ individual feels self-hatred due to their sexuality, which they have been taught is wrong, sinful, abnormal, or less desirable.[4]
Community Q&A
- QuestionI'm bisexual with homophobic parents. My mom always tells me to not hang around a lesbian. If I tell her somethiing, she might suspect. What do I do?MollyCommunity AnswerIf you came out, do you think you might be harmed? If so, maybe wait, or have someone who supports you as backup.
Tips
References
- ↑ https://equity.ubc.ca/files/2010/06/equity_recognizing_h_and_h.pdf
- ↑ https://www.rsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/UnderstandingHomophobia.pdf
- ↑ https://www.rsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/UnderstandingHomophobia.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2678796/
- ↑ https://equity.ubc.ca/files/2010/06/equity_recognizing_h_and_h.pdf
- ↑ https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/12/08/walking-through-hailstorm/discrimination-against-lgbt-youth-us-schools#
- ↑ Lily Zheng, MA. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant. Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
- ↑ https://equity.ubc.ca/files/2010/06/equity_recognizing_h_and_h.pdf
- ↑ https://case.edu/lgbt/safe-zone/heterosexism-homophobia
- ↑ https://case.edu/lgbt/safe-zone/heterosexism-homophobia
- ↑ https://equity.ubc.ca/files/2010/06/equity_recognizing_h_and_h.pdf
- ↑ https://equity.ubc.ca/files/2010/06/equity_recognizing_h_and_h.pdf
- ↑ https://case.edu/lgbt/safe-zone/heterosexism-homophobia
- ↑ Lily Zheng, MA. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant. Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
- ↑ Lily Zheng, MA. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant. Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
- ↑ Lily Zheng, MA. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant. Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
- ↑ Lily Zheng, MA. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant. Expert Interview. 22 November 2019.
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