[how.homophbia.hurts.everyone] Provided by: GLSTN 122 West 26th Street, Suite 1100 New York, NY 10001 USA Tel: (212) 727-0135 Email: glstn@glstn.org Web: http://www.glstn.org/respect/ HOW HOMOPHOBIA HURTS EVERYONE: A THEORETICAL FOUNDATION by Warren J. Blumenfeld Within the numerous forms of oppression, members of the target group (sometimes called minority) are OPPRESSED, while on some level members of the dominant or agent group are HURT. Although the effects of oppression differ qualitatively for specific target and agent groups, in the end everyone loses. 1. Homophobia locks all people into rigid gender-based roles that inhibit creativity and self expression. 2. Homophobic conditioning compromises the integrity of heterosexual people by pressuring them to treat others badly, actions contrary to their basic humanity. 3. Homophobia inhibits an individual's ability to form close, intimate relationships with members of ones own sex. 4. Homophobia generally restricts communication with a significant portion of the population and, more specifically, limits family relationships. 5. Societal homophobia prevents some lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from developing an authentic self identity, and adds to the pressure to marry, which in turn places undue stress and oftentimes trauma on themselves as well as their heterosexual spouses and their children. 6. Homophobia is one cause of premature sexual involvement, which increases the chances of teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Young people, of all sexual identities, are often pressured to become heterosexually active to prove to themselves and others that they are normal. 7. Homophobia combined with sexphobia (fear and repulsion of sex) results in the elimination of any discussion of the lives and sexuality of LGBT people as part of school-based sex education, keeping vital information from all students. Such a lack of information can kill people in the age of AIDS. 8. Homophobia can be used to stigmatize, silence, and, on occasion, target people who are perceived or defined by others as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, but who are, in actuality, heterosexual. 9. Homophobia prevents heterosexuals from accepting the benefits and gifts offered by LGBTs: theoretical insights, social and spiritual visions and options, contributions in the arts and culture, to religion, to family life, indeed, to all facets of society. 10. Homophobia (along with racism, sexism, classism, sexphobia, etc.) inhibits a unified and effective governmental and societal response to AIDS. 11. Homophobia diverts energy from more constructive endeavors. 12. Homophobia inhibits appreciation of other types of diversity, making it unsafe for everyone because each person has unique traits not considered mainstream or dominant. Therefore, we are all diminished when any one of us is demeaned. WAYS TO INCREASE LGBT VISIBILITY AND REDUCE HOMOPHOBIA 1. Be aware of the generalizations you make. Assume there are LGBT people where you go to school, where you work, in your family, etc. 2. Notice the times you disclose your heterosexuality. 3. For sensitization, hold hands with someone of the same sex in a SAFE public place. 4. Wear pro-LGBT buttons and T-shirts. 5. Read positive LGBT books and periodicals, and include them in your school or workplace libraries and offices. 6. Attend LGBT cultural and community events. 7. Challenge homophobic jokes and epithets. 8. Use inclusive, affirming, or gender-neutral language when referring to sexuality and human relationships in every-day speech, on written forms, etc. Say the words lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender each day in a positive way. 9. Include Sexual Orientation as a protected category in your anti-discrimination policies. 10. Extend Domestic Partnership benefits to LGBT employees on par with heterosexual employees. 11. Develop support groups for LGBT people and heterosexual allies. 12. Monitor politicians, the media, and organizations to ensure accurate coverage of LGBT issues. 13. Work and vote for candidates taking pro-LGBT stands. 14. Coordinate discussions and workshops, and include material in educational curricula on the topic of homophobia and LGBT experiences. 15. Implement and participate in a Safe Space program in your school or workplace. (excerpted from From Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price, Edited by Warren J. Blumenfeld, Boston: Beacon Press, 1992) CONTACT INFORMATION: Warren J. Blumenfeld PO Box 929 Northampton, MA 01061 Tel: (413) 585-9121 Fax: (413) 584-1332 E-Mail: blumenfeld@educ.umass.edu .................................................................. This document is one of the many practical resources available online from GLSTN's web site at http://www.glstn.org/respect/. The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) is the largest organization of parents, educators, students and other concerned citizens working to end homophobia in K-12 schools and to ensure that all students are valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation. To fulfill its mission and to raise awareness of these issues, GLSTN produces audio, visual and text-based educational materials, provides training, produces community programming and conferences, and organizes a growing national network of over 40 regional chapters. Membership in GLSTN is open to anyone -- regardless of their occupation or sexual orientation -- who is committed to seeing that the current generation is the last to suffer from homophobia. More than 70% of our budget is funded by individual donations and we need your support to continue to make resources such as this available. GLSTN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and all donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. GLSTN 122 West 26th Street, Suite 1100 New York, NY 10001 USA Tel: (212) 727-0135 Email: glstn@glstn.org Web: http://www.glstn.org/respect/ (c) 1994-1996, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) .................................................................. Copyright is held by the original author(s) of this document. You may redistribute this document for educational purposes provided that you do not change the material and all notices remain intact.