Recovering from Homophobia

This past Friday's decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to give the state's LGBT couples greater equality and happiness was another step in the global fight against homophobia that stifles, burdens and harms the lives of thousands. An irrational fear of or contempt for our community, homophobia has had some significant play recently in mainstream and LGBT media, besides the arguments of opposition in marriage legislation or judicial hearings.

Last Monday, the European Union released a report on the damage persistent widespread homophobia has had on European gays and lesbians. EDGE publications also released a story on the devastating effects homophobia can have on our hetero colleagues, as two Brooklyn straight men were recently harassed and battered after they were assumed gay as they walked home during a cold evening huddled close for warmth.

The concept of homophobia has been top of mind for me lately. Through a project I've been working on for FH Out Front, I was forced to examine the many faces of homophobia, its place within society and each of us, and the lack of direct discussion of the issue. Communication on homophobia is not your typical coffee talk with friends or family, or many LGBT issues for that matter. But as we've discussed many times on the Out Front Blog, the LGBT community must talk frankly about these issues with each other and with others if we are ever to see widespread successes as we recently saw in Iowa.

This premise hit home personally for me this past week and I wanted to close with this example. Although I'm admittedly biased, I was blessed with near perfect parents -- even though my coming out continues to be at times a trying journey for us both. Recently while working on the FH Out Front project that addressed homophobia, I shared my progress and final product with my parents despite its LGBT focus. My father's response blew me away. In it, he stated that "as a recovering homophobe," my project enlightened and helped him with his own personal journey.

His perception has changed about gays and lesbians, especially those who are "hurt out of hate, ignorance and fear." And why? Because he personally knows an LGBT individual, one who now is comfortable discussing his life and his community's struggle freely and frequently.

By winning over allies, we win the joy and greater equality we saw last week in Iowa. Now's the time for us all to recover from current society's homophobia and transcend to greater times of hope and happiness. Thanks for helping me see that, Dad.

Comments

[Ashley Showen]

Touching post. I admire what everyone at FH is doing to combat homophobia and I hope the world continues to move toward decisions like Iowa.

[Jayma Burbank]

It's only through discussion that light can be shed on the shades of phobia that result from misunderstanding. Discussion of LGBT lives has changed many minds and continues to do so, as in Vermont yesterday. FH is impressive in its commitment to keep the discussion Out Front.