Homophobia has plagued our world for a long time – many individuals from the LGBT community have suffered at the hands of this abuse.
Before understanding the effects of homophobia – we first need to understand what homophobia is.
According to Medical News Today, “The homophobia definition is the fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Biphobia is fear, hatred, discomfort, or mistrust, specifically of people who are bisexual. Similarly, transphobia is fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are transgender, genderqueer, or don’t follow traditional gender norms.”
Homophobia presents itself through discrimination, name calling, physical/mental/verbal or even sexual abuse or harassment which can happen both online and in person. It is important to note that individuals experience difficulty or suicide due to the effects of homophobia and not being a part of the LGBT community.
Any form of bullying and discrimination can cause the following problems:
Affect your salary, whether you can get a job or keep a job.
Causes poor mental health therefore, they use poor coping skills, such as substance abuse, risky sexual behaviours, and suicide attempts.
Affects your ability to maintain long-term same-sex relationships or have successful relationships
Makes it harder for you to be open about your sexual orientation
Causes an increase stress
Little to no social support
Withdrawals from society
Low self-esteem and value which causes a unfulfilled life
Mental disorders can be caused by the discrimination and lack of support, NOT BY BEING APART OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY
According to NEWS, “Researchers at the Williams Institute, a sexual orientation and gender identity think tank at UCLA School of Law, found that 30 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual respondents ages 18 to 25 reported at least one suicide attempt, compared to 24 percent of those 34-41 and 21 percent of those 52-59. The sad news is that this is only the surface level – this problem goes a lot deeper. It is reported that one is every individual who is apart of the LGBT community has attempted suicide.
Ways in Which you can Help Support the LGBT Community according to Safe Zone:
Organize discussion groups at organizations/groups you belong to (a community o faith, education associations, social justice activist groups, etc.) to talk about LGBTQ issues.
Use neutral labels like “partner” or “significant other” instead of “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” etc.
Bring up current LGBTQ issues in conversations with friends, at work, in class, and in your community.
Interrupt anti-LGBTQ jokes, comments or any other behaviors that make homophobia and transphobia appear OK.
Put LGBTQ-positive posters at your work, community of faith, etc., and/or wear shirts, buttons, etc. that promote LGBTQ equality and straight ally visibility.
Don't make assumptions about peoples' sexual orientations or gender identities. Assume there are LGBTQ people in all classes, sports, meetings, at work, daily life, etc.
Don't assume that "feminine-acting men" and "masculine-acting women" are transgender or not heterosexual.
Don't assume that "macho males" or "feminine females" are heterosexual or not transgender.
Use your privilege as a heterosexual/cisgender ally to speak up for LGBTQ issues and rights whenever/wherever you can. Write letters to the editor, participate in marches, lend support to LGBTQ groups at work, a community of faith, vote, etc.
As an ally to transgender folks, speak up when you hear slurs and attacks on people who express their gender outside of societal expectations. Educate people around you on the continuum of gender expression.
At The Peony Project we believe that the cause for this discrimination is because of a lack of education – if you are able to educate persons who believe the stigmatism of the LGBT community – you are able to break prejudices and create a safer and accepting space for all.
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