One of the biggest problems in society today is homophobia, which is the irrational fear of, discrimination against, and hatred of homosexuals. People of all races, of both sexes, and of many religions are homophobic (Ironically, organized religion, generally considered a institution of tolerance and love, often endorses homophobia). Homophobia, much like sexism and racism, is spawned from ignorance and fear, and is a very real problem America today. There are two main ways that homophobia manifests itself in our society today. One is in hate crimes and violence. Some groups and individuals commit crimes against known gays, friends of gays, organizations who help gays, etc. They beat and kill people simply because of their sexual preference. The most recently publicized event was the beating and murder of a gay man in Montana in 1998. This repulsive crime shocked the nation, alerting it to the rising problem of anti-gay hate crimes. Fortunately, only a small minority of Americans commit such crimes and such behavior is harshly shunned by society in general. A less visible aspect of homophobia is one that is no less damaging to individuals. This is stereotyping gays and assigning certain ways of behaving and certain appearances the label "gay." Not only are these stereotypes offensive to homosexuals, it results the need to "prove sexuality" in all people. Men and women are expected to confine themselves into a set stereotype that has been deemed straight, and are urged to "prove" themselves straight. This sexual conformity is harmful to society at large as many people are forced to fit into society's pre-made molds. In conclusion, we must stop listening to anyone or anything that advocates homophobia in any of its forms. This harmful prejudice is as big a problem as racism and sexism in America today. As quoted from a bumper sticker, "I'm straight, but not narrow."
-Waffleboy
E-mail Waffleboy at benb@fgi.net