Prejudice Agains Subgroups

Prejudice against Subgroups

Many people have prejudices against subgroups especially against homosexuals. So a recent survey of 37 European Countries found that over half of gay and lesbian young people had experienced bullying in school.

Young people often use words associated with homosexuality as standard insults, reinforcing the conception that it is highly undesirable to be gay. This can silence young people who are experiencing gay feelings and stop them from coming out and even encourage young gay men to pretend to be heterosexual and join in homophobic taunts to protect themselves.

Most do not want to accept and understand the homosexuals because they are different and because they know nothing about these people.

• Have you ever made the experience that you had something against homosexual people and after getting to know on you changed your opinion?

Homophobia

You´ve already read that the irrational fear of gays and lesbians is called Homophobia.

Although in many societies gays and lesbians are more accepted than in the past, Homophobia continues to be prominent around the word.

Negative feelings or attitudes towards non-heterosexual behavior, community, relationships and identity can lead to homophobic behavior and is the root of the discrimination experienced by many gays and lesbians. Homophobia manifests itself in different forms for example: Homophobic jokes, physical attacks, discrimination in the workplace and media representation.

I have thought and read about why people are afraid of gays and lesbians and found that many people see homosexuality as a disease. Other are having strong religious beliefs that disapprove of homosexuality.

Another reason is that they are having little or no social contact with lesbian and gay people.

• So I think we can discuss this reasons and maybe you´ve got other reasons why people are afraid of gays and lesbians.