Homophobia: A Large Group Discussion
This can be a short (five minute) large group question/answer discussion or can be lengthened to include, first small group, then large group discussion of the following topics/questions:
1. What is homophobia?
"Phobia" means an illogical/irrational fear of something/someone. Of what are homophobic people afraid?
- Gays or lesbians?
- The sexual acts themselves?
- Their own feelings of same sex attraction?
- Feelings of guilt or shame for having a forbidden attraction for people of the same gender?
2. Why are people homophobic? What causes homophobia?
- Fear of the unknown
- Overly defensive, possibly because they are trying to cover up their own homosexual feelings, thoughts, or actions (e.g., a person acts on homosexual feelings, is guilt/shame-ridden, and as a defense, fears or hates homosexuals).
- Feel threatened? Why?
- Are against any differences in society. Believes in the status quo.
- Fear that gays are undermining "family values."
- Itâs what theyâve been taught. Sources: parents, school, church, peers, media.
3. What are the results of homophobia?
- People are afraid to show affection for members of the same sex, even non-sexual.
- People are hesitant/afraid to exhibit characteristics/traits of the opposite gender, for fear of being labeled gay (men afraid to show sensitivity, emotions, and other traditionally female traits; women afraid to be aggressive, participate in traditionally-male activities).
- Gay people internalize societal stereotypes and learn to hate themselves or other gays.
- People may suppress/repress their homosexual feelings to the point of emotional instability.
- When homophobia is condoned by society, people are more likely to strike out verbally and violently toward gays.
4. Display or distribute a copy of The Riddle Scale. Briefly explain each stage. Ask participants to individually/silently decide where he/she is on the scale. Then ask participants where they think the following groups might fall on the continuum:
- Society in general
- Most college students
- Most faculty
- Most parents
- Fundamentalists
- Extremist groups (KKK, neo-Nazis)