This article by Pharr discusses how homophobia is simply only in existence because of the existence of sexism within our society. Homophobia is defined as the irrational fear and hatred of those who love and sexually desire those of the same sex. Because of homophobia, it is enough to keep 20% of people to hide or live in fear of their sexual identity. Even while growing up, children learn to fear people who are not heterosexual. Once children hit puberty, they learn to use taunting labels such as queer and fag, using these terms to ostracize those around them that are gay. When people perceive gay men, they are viewed as betrayers and traitors who must be punished and eliminated. They are then not even viewed as being real men. When people
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One point that I really enjoyed was when Pharr discussed the women’s liberation movement and showed how it was still an effort to keep definitions man-centered. For example, when a woman works on behalf of women, it means they are working against men. And the best example I feel personally is the word feminist. Being a feminist has been viewed as being a man-hater, which also means lesbian; we have discussed this concept in class multiple times as well. These points show how much our society is male-centered and male dominated. There is this clear definition of sexism within our society that we can see everywhere we look. We can see sexism at work, in advertising, TV shows, the playground, and much more. From this sexism also generates this view of how our society is supposed to be. When people then challenge these views, they are going to be ostracized and viewed as something abnormal and not welcomed. This then creates the platform for which homophobia was built on. So when a little boy is being called a “sissy” for doing something that was not deemed as “manly,” it is putting him and all women down at the same time. Showing how men are supposed to be the domineering sex and women are something that is considered undesirable. In order to end homophobia, we also need to end
One point that I really enjoyed was when Pharr discussed the women’s liberation movement and showed how it was still an effort to keep definitions man-centered. For example, when a woman works on behalf of women, it means they are working against men. And the best example I feel personally is the word feminist. Being a feminist has been viewed as being a man-hater, which also means lesbian; we have discussed this concept in class multiple times as well. These points show how much our society is male-centered and male dominated. There is this clear definition of sexism within our society that we can see everywhere we look. We can see sexism at work, in advertising, TV shows, the playground, and much more. From this sexism also generates this view of how our society is supposed to be. When people then challenge these views, they are going to be ostracized and viewed as something abnormal and not welcomed. This then creates the platform for which homophobia was built on. So when a little boy is being called a “sissy” for doing something that was not deemed as “manly,” it is putting him and all women down at the same time. Showing how men are supposed to be the domineering sex and women are something that is considered undesirable. In order to end homophobia, we also need to end