Homophobia / Internalized Homophobia / Bi-Phobia
Form of racism isn’t related to fear or phobia. It is hatred. Prejudice against individuals who identify of perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or queer.
Internalized homophobia happens when a person consciously or unconsciously accepts homophobic biases and applies these biases to themself. It can happen to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, though most studies of internalized homophobia have looked at people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
Bi-phobia: The fear or hatred of homosexuality (and other non‐heterosexual identities) and persons perceived to be bisexual.
- “Needless to say, internalized situations exist in the LGBTQ+ community. In a community riddled with stereotypes and prejudice, to perpetuate and reproduce even worse is abusive and awful, to say the least. To say this, a community is theoretically a safe space where individuals can be themselves. When there is internalized homophobia, you can’t feel safe anywhere. In the community that is supposed to be able to protect you, there are these individuals. So, what do we do? Are LGBTQ+ people safe?
- Come on! For men, let’s say you’re very safe if you’re tall, stout, with a nice body, you’re not fat, you’re not short, and you’re gorgeous.
- By the standards of Western society.
- Yeah, sure. White presenting. You’re very safe, and you’ll find it easy to have sex. But yeah, who’s like that?
- It’s not meant for the general public.
- Not at all.
- As is the same for women. As long as you’re up to the standards of Western society, you’re fine.
And in what is externally defined as a lesbian or a person who goes out with women and has specific characteristics – he doesn’t but was given certain characteristics. Anything that deviates doesn’t count. You can’t be a lesbian and be very feminine. You can’t.”
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