Why people are homophobes.
What prompts homophobes to be so vocally horrific and hateful? I think if we understand some of that, we can weather whatever hate they are throwing our way without freaking out so much.
What prompts homophobes to be so vocally horrific and hateful? I think if we understand some of that, we can weather whatever hate they are throwing our way without freaking out so much.
The other story sitting just out of sight, is that there are already gay and bi players in the NFL. Could be one or it could be dozens, but they are there. What will they do because of Sam’s announcement as well as with the whatever the NFL puts forward like the about garbage regarding homophobia, locker rooms and chemical balance? Will they continue to live and play football in the closet and acquiesce to the homophobia? Time will tell.
See any trend here similar to what we are seeing in National politics? The conservative/Christian approach is always to demonize and “other” the gay person, instead of focusing on jobs and thew economy which are the two subjects most important to the majority of voters at every level of government. Their goal is to win, at any cost.
If you haven’t seen it, I wanted to point you towards the CityPaper article about the rally and and following event with the police.Of all the papers, I think they captured a great perspective on the story. http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A99773
As I was videotaping the arrest, another officer came running at me with a can of mace or pepper spray or something and told me to get the hell out or I would be arrested too. I backed away but kept taping.
When there is so much anger, there is no solution- no way for these two “sides” to work together for the greater good, and from my experience here, this is one of the two big issues that the rally accentuates.
Lizzie Anderson of WRCT interviewed me/taped me at the homophobia rally Wednesday evening, and I understand it will be broadcast on Monday August 29th at 6PM . WRCT is at FM 88.3, or you can listen online at wrct.org.
Few of them would say that Culture is the reason. Culture’s collective homophobia is manifest in words and actions that result in the way these people feel. They feel shame? Is that the best language we have? We might call this internalized homophobia- a fear to accept oneself as one really is. But even this language seems to fall short I think.
So, I was thrilled to see a GSA with so many smart, active and courageous young people involved, and exited to think about the role they will play is the struggle for full equality. They will be tomorrow’s leaders, helping to make gains on both the political and social paths.