What is Heterosexism and Homophobia?
These terms are widely used to describe
attitudes towards lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. Homophobia is hostility
towards LGB people. It can be directed to individuals or groups and actions
can range from social exclusion, name calling, bullying and in the extreme,
physical attack and murder. The Swindon Advertiser has reported on
violent assaults on gay men within the Swindon community and a gay Bristol
publican was murdered in a homophobic attack. Transgender people can also
find themselves the targets of violent attacks and it is often the questioning
of gender that causes the majority of anti-gay bias. At the other end of the
scale homophobia perpetuates intolerance towards LGB people by failing to
acknowledge LGB relationships or achievements.
Heterosexism, on the other hand, is often not intended or explicitly hostile but it is a way of viewing the world solely from the perspective of heterosexuality and makes assumptions that ignore the existence of LGBT people. By asking a young male child if he has a girlfriend, by assuming that un-named partners are of the opposite sex or by reinforcing gender stereotypes society emphasises the invisibility of LGBT people.
There are a range of links to further information and help with this issue on this page. We also have a links page with these and other organisations.
