What Is Homophobia?
Homophobia is a word often used to describe a fear of homosexuals. However, it is more useful to consider the ingredients - it's created using societal norms of masculinity/femininity, gender roles and difference. For individuals, homophobia can lead to deep rooted low-self esteem, fear of familial and community rejection and various mental health issues; including feelings of isolation, depression and suicide. In the community and larger society, the impact of homophobia can mean increased violence in communities and increased rates of HIV. In all its forms, homophobia makes health education, HIV prevention and treatment extremely challenging. We must not let hateful and abusive treatment from others undermine our ability to care for ourselves and each other.
Homophobia is a word often used to describe a fear of homosexuals. However, it is more useful to consider the ingredients - it's created using societal norms of masculinity/femininity, gender roles and difference. For individuals, homophobia can lead to deep rooted low-self esteem, fear of familial and community rejection and various mental health issues; including feelings of isolation, depression and suicide. In the community and larger society, the impact of homophobia can mean increased violence in communities and increased rates of HIV. In all its forms, homophobia makes health education, HIV prevention and treatment extremely challenging. We must not let hateful and abusive treatment from others undermine our ability to care for ourselves and each other.
Be an Ally to Black Gay people:
When you see something, say something! People who harass LGBT people often get away with it because people in the community do not respond. Violence often happens against people who are most marginalized, whom an abuser feels like he/she can attack without reproach. If you witness this kind of verbal abuse, harassment, or physical violence you have the power to stop it by intervening, or calling someone in the community who the perpetrators know and respect and get them to stop.
Accept Diversity in the Community:
Open your doors! There are no LGBT centers in the Black Community. We often must travel outside the community to find places of support and care. You can open your home, apartment or community garden to provide a meeting or social space for people to find comfort and support in their own community.
When you see something, say something! People who harass LGBT people often get away with it because people in the community do not respond. Violence often happens against people who are most marginalized, whom an abuser feels like he/she can attack without reproach. If you witness this kind of verbal abuse, harassment, or physical violence you have the power to stop it by intervening, or calling someone in the community who the perpetrators know and respect and get them to stop.
Accept Diversity in the Community:
Open your doors! There are no LGBT centers in the Black Community. We often must travel outside the community to find places of support and care. You can open your home, apartment or community garden to provide a meeting or social space for people to find comfort and support in their own community.
Be easy! At the end of the day, we are ALL Black. Everyone deserves to live a life free from violence. If we begin to practice this ethic of care and support to everyone in our community, we will begin to see an end to much of the violence that happens - not only against LGBT people, but also children, women, and the elderly.
Identify police officers/hate crimes. As a last resort, if there are weapons involved and a potentially fatal outcome.
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For info, resources and support on homophobia in African American and LGBT communities, click here.
