Safe Place Manual - Homophobia

In a clinical sense, homophobia is defined as an intense, irrational fear of same gender relationships that becomes overwhelming to the person. In common usage, homophobia is the fear of intimate relationships with persons of the same gender. In the following are listed four negative homophobia levels, and four positive levels of attitudes towards GLBT relationships and people. They were developed by Dr. Dorothy Riddle, a psychologist from Tucson, Arizona.

Negative (Homophobic) Levels of Attitude

Repulsion

  • Being GLBT is against the Bible - “God hates fags”
  • Denial - “Don't ask, don't tell”
  • Apathy and indifference to oppression
  • Believing victims of bashing deserve it
  • Censorship and enforced invisibility - Keeping books on GLBT themes or issues out of schools or libraries
  • Lack of acknowledgement of GLBT persons and their relationships, or of the GLBT sexuality of famous persons by media and social institutions
  • Avoiding discourse about GLBT issues in family and social settings
  • Parents abusing or neglecting their children on account of real or perceived GLBT associations
    • Kicking child out of house
    • Withholding financial support
  • Harassment - Verbal/Physical, Implied or Direct

Pity

  • Encouragement toward celibacy
  • Encouragement towards voluntary conversion (“ex-gay” movement)
  • Heterosexual chauvinism. - Heterosexuality is more mature and certainly preferred.
  • Those who seem to be born “that way” should be pitied, “the poor dears”.

Tolerance

  • Homosexuality is just a phase of adolescent development that many people go through and most people “grow out of.”
  • GLBT persons are less mature than “straights” and should be treated with the protectiveness and indulgence one uses with a child.
  • GLBT persons should not be given positions of authority because they are still working through their adolescent behavior.
  • No same gender marriage.
  • GLBT people aren’t fit parents, teachers, role models.
  • Stereotypical depictions of GLBT people (e.g., gay men as silly, foppish, or promiscuous)

Acceptance

  • Still implies there is something to accept.
  • Characterized by such statements as “You’re not lesbian to me, you’re a person!” or “What you do in bed is your own business,” or “That’s fine with me as long as you don’t flaunt it!”
  • Individual civil rights are sufficient to take care of GLBT needs; no need for “special rights

Positive Levels of Attitude

Support

  • GLBT people should be allowed to marry, have children, work and live where they choose.
  • GLBT people should be free of discrimination, harassment, and violence.

Admiration

  • Acknowledges that being GLBT in our society takes strength.
  • GLBT people make good role models because they can illustrate peoples’ ability to transcend adversity
  • People at this level are willing to truly examine their homophobia, attitudes, values and behaviors.

Appreciation

  • Value the diversity of people and see GLBT persons as a valid part of that diversity.
  • Straight people cannot always relate to experiences of GLBT people.

Nurturance

  • Assumes that GLBT persons are indispensable in our society.
  • They view them with genuine affection and delight, and are willing to be allies and advocates.