Identify those precious people in your life - classmates, coworkers, close friends, or relatives - who are there for you, or who may be going through a similar ordeal. Spend as much time with these people as possible. It can be very helpful to join a local support group for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Participating in such groups can help you feel less alone and learn practical solutions for dealing with homophobia.
This professional can help you process this confusing time in your life and maybe even help you develop strategies for reacting to homophobia. A family therapist may be able to help you address homophobic feelings of close relatives. When scheduling a consultation with a therapist or a counselor, ask them if they have experience working with LGBTQ+ folks, if this population presents any difficulties for them, and what their general approach is to working with LGBTQ+ folks. [5] X Expert Source Kateri Berasi, PsyDLicensed Clinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 9 September 2021.
Of course, this is much easier said than done when someone is attacking your personal life. If a person makes a homophobic remark, first take a deep breath - in through your nose and out through your mouth. This can help you remain calm after the insult. After calming yourself, decide how to react. Depending on the person and the severity of the remark, you might choose to ignore the insult (and steer clear of the person) or respond confidently with information.
If you feel it’s necessary to respond to someone calling gay love a sin, you might refer them to various alternative readings of the Bible. [7] X Research source Furthermore, even some Christian leaders strive to take a position of full acceptance and welcome gay people into their inclusive congregations. If you are interested in helping change a friend or family member’s feelings about gays, it may be helpful for them to speak with a more accepting Christian (or other religious) leader and explain your dilemma. Or, you might stray from the sexual aspect of gay people and explain the difficulty of ignoring your love for another person simply because they are of the same gender. Ask the offender how they might feel if they were told who to love. Remind this person of their own love relationships. What if they happened to fall in love with another person and wanted to share that joy with the world, but learned that the relationship was looked down upon or forbidden? When people consider how homophobia permits bias against another’s most basic nature – love – it may be easier to let go of these strong negative feelings.
In response to such a statement, feel free to deny this idea by telling your personal story, if you feel up to it. In many cases, people come to embrace their identity later in life after fighting it or pretending to be heterosexual for many years. Such an experience is hardly one that represents a passing phase. It might even be helpful to dispel rumors that people can be “cured” of being gay or simply change who they like. Respond to such comments by reversing the question and asking, “Do you think you can be cured of heterosexuality? Can you change who you like?” The answer: no.
For example, if a few of the popular kids at school don’t talk to Peter because he “acts” gay, then other kids may inadvertently stop talking to him, too. You can counteract homophobia due to peer pressure by challenging your peers to gain a clear understanding of their own values and beliefs and by selecting friends who are accepting and positive influences. [9] X Research source
If you encounter someone who has particularly hateful opinions about same-sex partnerships or gay people, consider the possibility that they may be attracted to members of the same sex and is using homophobia to hide these feelings. Strive for empathy towards such as person, knowing that grappling with such feelings, especially when others are strongly against it, can be frightening.
For many decades, gay and lesbian couples have faced strong opposition from society, public policy, and religion. Gay and bisexual individuals are the target of verbal harassment, abuse, and even violence, in some cases. What’s more, the association of being gay with having HIV/AIDS has further stigmatized gay, lesbian, and bisexuals, and resulted in people being afraid of being tested or seeking treatment for these diseases.
After the show goes off, ask your friend if they see any similarities between themselves and these characters? Aren’t they “normal” people with normal goals and desires? These characters can make them cry, laugh, or squeal with excitement just like any of the heterosexual characters, right? Check out these links to find some series and films about gay people. [15] X Research source
Check out these inspiring quotes on diversity. [16] X Research source
