Homophobia
Homophobia is what we call the irrational and illogical reaction to someones sexuality by other people. Homophobia is sometimes called sexual prejudice and usually manifests itself in someone being hostile or prejudiced against us. That hostility may be intentional or unintentional, and may be expressed in any way ranging from physical violence to mental or social pressure.
Intentional. In some employments prejudice is usually a disciplinary measure, but it is difficult to make a complaint about behaviour when you are not completely sure you have been discriminated against, or that the behaviour was intentional. Sometimes you may not even know who sent you the hate letter, or the name of the person who insulted you. If you are being bullied, the subject of a vendetta, or people are playing games with you, setting you targets they know you cannot achieve, just so they can get at you, it is hard to deal with. Most people suffer homophobia in silence, feeling there is nothing they can do.
Internationally, attention is drawn to homophobia by having an International Day of Silent Protest, usually in April every year. By making the office or school silent, everyone understands what it is like to suffer in silence. Homophobic attacks in the community are now classed as ‘hate crimes’ and reported and seen as a serious matter. The Government, legal establishment and Police are giving increased attention to hate crimes, and the punishments for hate crimes are being made considerably more severe. Homophobic attacks of any description where you work are not part of your job description or your conditions of service. If you feel you are being discriminated against, you probably are being, so complain – don’t suffer in silence.
Four typical behaviours which reveal intentional or unintentional homophobia are lying, stereotyping, misrepresenting, and linking. Gay men and lesbians fear that these behaviours re-enforce people’s prejudices and old wives’ tales.
Many religious groups will tell downright lies about gay men and lesbians in order to push their own agenda. Such lies are difficult to counter.
A good recent example of stereotyping at work was a Yahoo advertisement where a generic gay figure was portrayed in a derogatory and predatory manner which may have led some viewers to think that the behaviour portrayed was stereotypical.
Misrepresenting usually occurs in the media when insufficient care is taken writing and proof reading stories, and continuity of approach is lost. For example, the Guardian following a particular case consistently called the accused person a paedophile before the trial. During the trial a different reporter called him a homosexual every day of the trial. After he was convicted the original reporter took the story back and called him a paedophile. That treatment misrepresented all gay men as paedophiles in some people’s minds.
Unintentional linking occurs in the media, for example a positive story about changing the laws was immediately followed by a story about schools banning video filming at nativity plays to prevent the footage falling into the hands of paedophiles. So gay men, lesbians and paedophiles were linked as being the same, and the positive story was turned into a negative one by the linkage with paedophilia.
Stereotyping, misrepresentation and linking are all unthinking forms of homophobia but they are still homophobic, inappropriate and unprofessional. The only way to deal with them is to challenge them when they occur and explain why they are wrong.
Bullying in schools guidelines
To combat homophobic bullying in schools, the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills issued new guidelines, “Stand up for us”, which can be downloaded here.
International campaign for day against homophobia
A campaign for an international Day to raise awareness and focus action on homophobia, including an on-line petition, has been launched and can be seen here: IDAHO
Links checked and text updated 14 November 2009
