No Homo…phobia

Being at such a progressive University, I had really forgotten just quite how homophobic a lot of people from my old school and hometown really are. A quick search of Facebook/Twitter and the homophobia you can find is unbelievable. This really shouldn’t be an issue in the 21^st century, but it seems there still is a machismo culture of homophobia amongst many young people in London, at least.

People who use religion to justify their homophobia need to go home. The same people who would have no hesitation claiming that God Hates Fags are a little less religious when talking about women. Now I am no Bible expert, but I know the Ten Commandments, and while recalling that ‘thou shalt not commit adultery’ is one of them, there is a distinct absence of any reference to sexual orientation. Which is why it really pisses me off when you have people citing religion as the cause of their homophobia one minute and then what girl they would ‘do’ the next- picking and choosing their prejudice.

The bullying and religious elitism against homosexuals who consider themselves of faith is abhorrent. Think how many homosexuals live a repressed life because the Pope tells them that they’re wrong. Think about the Iranian homosexual who would face stoning if she is suspected of homosexual behaviour. Why some people get so riled up is beyond me. If homosexuality was so wrong, I’m sure God would have at mentioned the immorality of lesbians at least once.

Then there are those who make no reference to religion and just say “it’s unnatural” or “just think how nasty it is” – or who come with that old homophobe justification about men ‘choosing’ to be gay or being ‘corrupted’ into homosexuality rather than being born gay.   Again, there is rarely reference to lesbians here and indeed for many who find male homosexuality abhorrent, lesbian action is something which is often considered sexy.

But let’s consider the objections. Just because gay people are in a minority, does not make them unnatural. Indeed, the ratio of homosexual to heterosexual humans is almost identically replicated in the animal kingdom.

And then the unbelievable squeamishness. I can’t say I particularly like the image of two men having sex. Does it mean it’s wrong? Of course not, grow up. I’m sure there are many homosexuals who consider the act of heterosexual sex repulsive. I for one do not think the image of a 70 year old having sex with another 70 year old is too appealing and nor I bet do many of the homophobes. Just because something doesn’t appeal to your taste, doesn’t make it wrong. I bet they wouldn’t like if, in 50 years time, someone tells them what they’re doing with their wrinkly old partner is wrong.

The hypocrisy of the homophobic legions is unbelievable. The same people who have no problems watching a man’s erect penis during porn feel it necessary to say ‘no homo’ when they have said something which may be deemed homosexual behaviour, whatever that may be. And what happened to “do not judge, or you too will be judged”.

I honestly don’t know why these people go out of their way so much to cause emotional turmoil for others. I’m heterosexual, I’m also white, I am also a man. I don’t feel it’s necessary to constantly remind everyone of these facts. It’s almost as if these people have something to prove. If not to others, then maybe to themselves.

Even if it was justified by religion, and you are a practising religious person, so what? Slavery is justified by the Bible. (Exodus 21:7 /Westwing, Season 2). Yet we don’t deem slavery to be morally right. The Old Testament requires one to be put to death for working on the Sabbath.

Then there is the idea that being gay is not ‘manly’. I saw a comedian last year who put over a very compelling argument which concluded “what is manly about having sex with a woman? If you want to do something ‘manly’, copulate with a 250 lbs man!” I’m paraphrasing, I don’t think it was quite that polite-  but the point remains.

I hope this article does make some readers uncomfortable. There should be nothing comfortable about homophobia and homophobic beliefs. If you can’t handle the 21^st century, get off the laptop.