Search this site

4days until
next meeting at Kings Cross

What is Homophobia?

Homophobia is not actually a ‘phobia’ or a fear. It is term which is used to describe the nastiness and hatred that is sometimes directed towards LGBT people.
 
Homophobia is the opposite of tolerance and understanding. It is a reflection of our society, and, like racism, is often the result of ignorance, misinformation and bigotry.

The level of homophobia in this country is not to be underestimated. One in five lesbian and gay people have experienced a homophobic hate crime or incident in the last three years ('Hate Crime', Stonewall, 2008). This can take the form of insults, harassment or physical assault. 

However, homophobia can also take other forms. For example, if responsible adults fail to act decisively in the face of homphobic bullying of vulnerable young people, or ignoring the ill-treatment or cruelty meted out to LGBT people.
 
 

First they came for the communists,

And I did not speak out because I was not a communist 

Then they came for the socialists, 

And I did not speak out because I was not a socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews, 

And I did not speak out because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left to speak out for me.'


              One of several versions attributed to 

Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984)

 
The homophobia in this country stems from a number of sources:
Sexual acts between men were illegal until the Sexual Offences Act decriminalised homosexuality in 1967. The criminalisation of same-sex relationships contributed to the secrecy and silence that causes so much harm to LGBT people. Even now, this impacts on attitudes, particularly amongst older people.
 

Homosexuality was considered an illness and was not removed from the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness' until 1973. Damaging treatments were attempted. Alan Turing, often considered the father of modern computer science, was convicted of gross indecency in 1952 because of his relationship with another man. He was offered the 'choice' of imprisonment or chemical 'treatment'. He opted for treatment and ended up taking his own life. In 2009 Gordon Brown apologised for this on behalf of the government, describing what was done as: 'horrifying'.

In 1988 the Conservative Government introduced the infamous 'Section 28' which prohibited local authorities and schools from doing anything to:
 
    '...intentionally promote homosexuality...or...promote
the teaching...of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship'. 

This had the effect of preventing anti-homophobic bullying work in schools for 15 years. In 2009, David Cameron apologised on behalf of the Conservative Party for its part in introducing Section 28.

Some newspapers and other media sources perpetuate ignorant and homophobic views. For example, the ‘No Outsiders’ project (see Education), which aimed to reduce homophobic bullying and prejudice in primary schools, was incorrectly described by the Daily Mail as being about: ‘...teaching gay sex to under 11s’ (Daily Mail 16.9.2008).

Some ethnic groups who have come to Britain over the past few decades come from countries where homosexuality is illegal. This includes a large number of African countries and some of the Caribbean islands. Some reggae, rap and hip hop songs emanating from Jamaica encourage violent homophobic acts, including murder. A campaign called 'Stop Murder Music', set up by Peter Tatchell's 'Outrage!' has recently been successful in the cancellation of concerts by some of the most serious offenders. See our section on Black and Ethnic Minorities.
 
A number of religions have ambiguous attitudes towards LGBT people and incorrectly promote the notion that sexuality is a choice and that people can change their sexuality. See our section on Religion.