Sexuality, sexual orientation, and Western civilaization
Posted by: Phil Barry on 20 February 2004
I have long wondered why my society (the US) shows so much contempt for male homosexuals.
The primary cause I could think of for homophobia is an extremely wide-spread and deep fear of one's own latent homosexuality - but this has never made sense to me. I simply think that most people don't need to attack others just because they think they are attracted to a person of their gender.
This morning, while listening to NPR I heard yet another male express his outrage that same-sex marriage demeans 'real' marriage, I expressed my curiosity about the source of the speaker's opposition to homosexuals.
My wife, a psychotherapist, responded that some current thinkers in psych circles hypothesize that rejectors of homosexuality are probably rejecting sexuality as a whole.
So, I ask readers for their thoughts on the sources of homophobia. Does it setm from natural human tendencies, or just from patriarchal societies? Do cultures that don't derive from the Bible have similar beliefs?
Phil
The primary cause I could think of for homophobia is an extremely wide-spread and deep fear of one's own latent homosexuality - but this has never made sense to me. I simply think that most people don't need to attack others just because they think they are attracted to a person of their gender.
This morning, while listening to NPR I heard yet another male express his outrage that same-sex marriage demeans 'real' marriage, I expressed my curiosity about the source of the speaker's opposition to homosexuals.
My wife, a psychotherapist, responded that some current thinkers in psych circles hypothesize that rejectors of homosexuality are probably rejecting sexuality as a whole.
So, I ask readers for their thoughts on the sources of homophobia. Does it setm from natural human tendencies, or just from patriarchal societies? Do cultures that don't derive from the Bible have similar beliefs?
Phil
quote:
Originally posted by Phil Barry:
Another possible source of homophobia is envy, now that I think of it.
Phil,
Good thread.
I think there is an element of truth in this but I think for reasons that have nothing to do with sex. I personally don't want to have sex with another bloke and don't feel the slightest bit of envy for blokes having sex with each other, regardless of how much higher their experience may rate on the "subjective-pleasureometer" than mine. I have to admit that the thought of anything sexual between two men makes me feel a bit squeamish (sorry boys) and yet (strangely) I feel somewhat differently about sex between women. Yup.
My theory is that the same type of envy that fuels Anti-Semitism is also responsible in part for modern-day homophobia. Jewish men and Gay men are typically over-represented in the "clever bastard" stakes (Jewish = good at business, music and comedy ; Gay = creative/extravert/funny) and what pisses a redneck off more than an over-achiever ?
P.S. Fredrik : Thanks for sharing
[This message was edited by Minky on MONDAY 23 February 2004 at 05:06.]
Minky -- You mean Jackie Mason is Gay!
Crikey.
Matthew
Crikey.
Matthew