Social Deviance Journal Entry 12
Homophobic attitudes previously were explained through theoretical explanations or
through empirical data. The issue with these explanations is that they were never used together to explain why homophobic attitudes existed. Theoretical explanations were based on the individual's own personal beliefs, such as William James believing that homophobia existed because it was innate for humans to have disgust towards same-sex feelings. Sigmund Freud believed that one's sexuality was based on one's interactions with one's parents, society's prohibitions, and biological causes. He believed that children were attracted to the same-sex parent but the dissolution of these feelings removed the Oedipus complex. There are consistent characteristics that can lead to an individual developing homophobic ideology. This can include the individual not being exposed to homosexuals, growing up in an area where homophobia is the norm, and tend to be older and less educated. Exposure to homosexuals and other members of the community reduces the risk of developing homophobia because these interactions can remove any stereotypes towards the other individual. Categorization can help individuals make sense of the world but lesbians can be seen as hostile towards men and gay men can be seen as mentally ill or insecure. There is an issue where homophobic viewpoints can develop in a person because of unresolved conflicts of one's own sexuality and/or gender identity. The individual may project these anxieties on homosexuals to deal with the stress of the unresolved conflicts
As a member of the LGBT, I have always wondered why people have been hateful
towards another group. I was in an argument with a gay Catholic in high school, who was a close friend. This friend was against gay marriage despite being gay himself and I pointed out that wanting to ban gay marriage was not acceptable because it infringed on their rights. There is an issue in the United States where many of the laws we have in place or are trying to be passed have a religious undertone. Depending on the bill, the undertone may be outright or buried within the bill. Gay marriage is an issue that doesn't have a religious undertone because the main reason for the ban was because of religion. The United States is predominantly Christian currently. These Christians have lobbied to make sure that gay marriage has been illegal and have been successful. However, the First Amendment provides all United States citizens the right to freedom of religion and expression. The use of Christian ideals to pass bills that control individuals not subscribed to these ideals infringes on their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and expression. The use of Christian ideology infringes on the First Amendment because it is not their religious ideology. It is restricting their religious ideology for another ideology, in this example, Christianity. It infringes on their expression part of the First Amendment as it restricts their right to express themselves sexually. They are not able to express themselves sexually and to express that sexuality in other